The Vagina Monologues Commemorates the 20th Anniversary Of the V-Day Organization By Sheryl Aronson

On Sunday, February 18th, the Hollywood NOW (National Organization of WOMEN) sponsored a production of The Vagina Monologues to celebrate the 20th Anniversary of the V-Day organization, a global activist movement to end violence against all women and girls(cisgender, transgender and gender non-conforming), bringing widespread attention to issues of harassment, rape, battery, incest, female genital mutilation, and sex slavery.

“As a community, we are dedicated to tearing down walls and sharing our common bond and dedication towards equality with you today. So, in addition to the familiar monologues that we have performed in the past, this year’s production will also feature monologues that have been written by members of our cast and their families, to throw a spotlight on these issues.” – John Erickson, President of Hollywood NOW & Shaina Rosenthal, Director.

Filmmakers: Renee Sotile & MJ Godges.

The program began with the powerful anti-domestic violence music video, I Remember Nicole: A Global Anthem Reclaiming Power Over Domestic Violence, produced and directed by Renee Sotile and MJ Godges.

“The song was inspired by Nicole Brown, but we are using her name as a metaphor for domestic violence. Actually the name of the song came out of one of our meetings with her sister. She kept saying that she wanted people to remember her sister, Nicole,” Renee Sotile said in my Facebook Live interview. “It’s a global anthem for domestic violence and we are lucky that the city of West Hollywood is screening it today but also sponsoring it.”

The Mayor of the West Hollywood, John Heilman, said, “We are so proud that these two residents of West Hollywood put this video together and are calling attention to this problem in our country. Today, we are also showing the Vagina Monologues and it’s a fund raiser for Planned Parenthood which is located right here in the city of West Hollywood. We see ourselves as leaders of equality on issues for women and girls. We are here to support.”

The music video was poignant. The two singers, Hollie Cavanagh and Melodye Perry belted out the ballad with passion while we witnessed women around the country holding up signs for ending domestic violence. The video was quite moving and reminds us that this issue affects women of all ethnicities and socio-economic backgrounds worldwide.

The Vagina Monologues

Next up was the production of the Vagina Monologues written by Eve Ensler in 1995, which captured the raw, brazen, provocative stories of these women actors who represented female issues from every angle. There were tears, laughter, and revelations shared for two hours straight that touched each person sitting in the audience. In a dramatic finale, the women actors marched out of the theater wearing the #MeToo t-shirts reminding everyone of the sisterhood that exists and is necessary in fighting for equal rights and respect for women globally.

For more information about Renee Sotile & MJ Godges go to: http://www.traipsingthrufilms.com