PUSSIES UNITE! It is that time of year again, the time for the annual production of "The Vagina Monologues" to grace us with its presence once again! What is "The Vagina Monologues," you ask? Well, my good people, "The Vagina Monologues" is a play written by Eve Ensler.

The directors (Megan Wunglueck and Maddie Cleveland and the 2018 Cast)

Ensler wrote the first draft of "The Monologues" in 1995 after she conducting 200 interviews with women about their views on relationships, sex, and violence against women. Ensler said in an interview with Women.com that her fascination with the vagina manifested due to "growing up in a violent society." She also stated that "women's empowerment is deeply connected with their sexuality. All things are deeply connected to our vaginas."

An important aspect of "The Vagina Monologues" is the V-Day Movement. The V-Day is a non-profit organization that distributes funds to other organizations that work to stop violence against women and girls. They demand that rape, incest, battery, genital mutilation and sexual slavery must end now. "The Vagina Monologues" is the cornerstone of the V-Day movement, where people all across the United States put on performances of "The Vagina Monologues" in their communities.

These performances happen from February 1st- April 30th. Plenty of time to support your local vaginas! In addition to viewing one of the most important pieces of our time being performed, many performances support local rape crisis and women's centers in their communities. Illinois State performance of "The Vagina Monologues" will donate to the YWCA Stepping Stones and the Neville House.

Photo of the directors (Anne Tobin and Megan Wunglueck) and cast of the 2017 performance

Every year, the resident student organization FLAME puts on "The Vagina Monologues" at Illinois State University. It is a show you have to see with your own two eyes. It will make you pee your pants with laughter, cry for the women that have been abused, and have you walk away with a new perspective and closeness with the stories you will hear.

This is my second year acting in "The Vagina Monologues" and I can say without a doubt it has changed me in ways I would have never dreamed of. First of all, if you asked me five years ago that I was going to get up in front of 150 plus people and talk about my vagina, I would have shat myself. But I did it. And my god was it empowering. And this year I was able to do a piece with two other fabulous women about a person’s story about transitioning into a woman. We killed it! I felt connected with the women in the show. Regarding the cast, I am so honored to have worked with such talented and electric women the past two years. They have inspired and taught me to be a better version of myself. We were not just acting, we were actcating (acting and educating). That is clit.

My homies and I in a giant beautifully constructed vagina after the Saturday night performance in 2017!

All in all, I do not give a dang who you are, if you are looking to be enlightened, immerse yourself in the Vagina Monouloyes.

These stories will not just give you a better understanding of women, you will walk away with a whole new perspective on the world. The good and the bad. And the awareness you have after seeing the show, you can join the fight to end violence against all. Even though the last of the shows was on Sunday at Illinois State, come out and see it next year or check out local performances in your area! STAY CLITTY.