The Vagina Monologues

Uncensored, honest, and raw. These three words describe Eve Ensler's play The Vagina Monologues. Structurally, The Vagina Monologues consist of a compilation of interviews from 200 women, ranging from 6 years old to 72 years old. In a post in the AAUW blog titled "The Value in The Vagina Monologues," the author states that the power of this play derives from the fact that these stories are from real women's concerns about "their vaginas, their relationships, their attitudes, violence, homelessness, birth, sexual assault, femininity, disaster, life and everything in between." These interviews serve as a source of empowerment for women. It serves as a forum for women and men to embrace and acknowledge the beauty in female sexuality. 
From current personal experience working on this play, I understand how this production aligns with our work in Social Issues in Gender and Sexuality. Throughout history, women traditionally have been expected to deal with these issues in silence. In fact, it is still debatable whether speaking publicly about these supposed "private matters" is socially acceptable at all. By speaking so freely about topics related to vaginas, this play is ground-breaking in the fact that it exemplifies it is perfectly natural and wonderful for one to love their body, and their sexuality. It is especially important for men to see this play as well. Exposure to this play will help eradicate traditionally stereotypes of a fragile damsel in distress. These characters highlight strong and confident women, who have an important message to spread, and nobody will stop them.