News

WCC show raises funds, awareness for anti-violence movement

Posted March 05, 2009 10:00 pm

By Nancy Gier

Members of the Womyn for Womyn group at Waubonsee Community College needed someone to take charge of its spring production of "The Vagina Monologues," which raises funds to fight violence against women and girls.

They found her in Melissa Speerly, a 25-year-old Aurora resident who is in her second semester at Waubonsee.

"If I can help other women in my community as well as their children, I want to do so," Speerly said. "I want to give back."

Because of Speerly's leadership, the play will be presented at 8 p.m. today, March 6, in the Auditorium at the Sugar Grove campus, Route 47 and Waubonsee Drive.

The production is sponsored by V-Day 2009, a global movement to end violence against women and girls.

She has a strong interest in the campus organization and the production of "The Vagina Monologues" because of her personal history.

"My mother was in a series of abusive relationships when I was growing up," Speerly said. "My mother and my two younger brothers stayed at shelters twice."

Speerly was also in one abusive relationship herself, but ended it quickly. She says she is now in a healthy relationship, and her mother is happily married.

"I feel for women who are not strong enough to end the relationship, and for their children," Speerly said.

Speerly is studying science and hopes to have a career in medicine, perhaps as a doctor.

The Womyn for Womyn group is a student organization with a faculty adviser.

"The main purpose is to create a sense of sisterhood at Waubonsee and make students aware of women's issues," Speerly said.

Proceeds from today's performance will support Mutual Ground of Aurora and TriCity Family Services of Geneva.

"'The Vagina Monologues' is a wonderful play," said Linda Healy, executive director of Mutual Ground, which serves victims of domestic violence. "It's so appropriate, especially for younger women. Hopefully, women can gain some strength and self-esteem by seeing it."

"The Vagina Monologues" was written by Eve Ensler in 1996 as a celebration of women. In 1998, the focus of the play changed to support a movement to stop violence against women.

The number of monologues varies from year to year. Topics include women's sexuality and sexual experiences, including rape as a weapon.

Speerly said she is one of 14 who will participate by reading.

"So many people want to be a part of it,"Speerly said. "And a lot of men want to help with lighting and other work."

Melissa Speerly heads the Womyn for Womyn group at Waubonsee Community College. Courtesy Melissa Sheerly

"The Vagina Monologues" When: 8 p.m. Friday, March 6 Where: Auditorium at Waubonsee Community College, Route 47 at Waubonsee Drive, Sugar Grove Cost: $10 Cause: Raises funds to end violence against women. Proceeds will support Mutual Ground in Aurora and TriCity Family Services in Geneva. Call: Student Activities office at (630) 466-7900, ext. 2929.

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