I can see a world where we all live
Safe and free from all oppression
No more rape or incest, or abuse
Women are not a possession--Break the Chain, Tena Clark
What is V-Day?
Established by the amazing playwright and activist Eve Ensler in 1998, the V-Day movement is a global activist movement to end violence against women and girls.
So what does V stand for? It stands for Victory, Voices and Valentine. And it stands for Vagina.
How Do We Celebrate V-Day?
We celebrate V-Day on and around Feb. 14, by championing this ever-important cause in every way possible. In some communities, activists do their part by hosting One Billion Rising dances and marches. Much like Take Back the Night, the signature anti-rape march celebrated at numerous college campuses across the country.
One Billion Rising events feature speeches, art displays, and a ceremonial dance set to the tune of Break the Chain, a powerful song and dance produced by Eve Ensler and V-Day, directed by Tony Stroebel, written and produced by Tena Clark with music by Tena Clark and Tim Heintz, and featuring dancer and choreographer Debbie Allen.
The Feminist Sexpert personally has participated in One Billion Rising dances and rallys in city squares, at schools, and at women’s centers. And as a person who enjoys breaking out in random fits of public dancing for little reason whatsoever when the mood strikes, I particularly enjoy putting my limited dance skill set to use in the service of such a fine cause.
People also celebrate V-Day by staging theatrical productions of Eve Ensler’s brilliant play, “The Vagina Monologues” and by hosting various fund-raisers on behalf of domestic violence and sexual assault centers.
As a house writer with the Metaphysical Erotica publishing house, I spearheaded a One Billion Rising fund-raiser that involved the writing and publication of a feminist erotic anthology; part of the proceeds of which went to benefit the One Billion Rising foundation.
V-Day is a day to celebrate, to take action, and to remember. We dance and rise for our mothers and sisters, nieces and daughters, friends and strangers alike. We dance for women and girls, in our ongoing quest to empower them–to overcome the heinous acts of physical, sexual and emotional abuse that serve to mar our majesty on a daily basis.
I rise in the memory of my cousin Ivetta–a brilliant, beautiful career woman, mother of two, activist and singer. A woman who said no to a man–and lost her life because of it.
But she did not lose her voice. At all points throughout my career as an activist journalist and women’s sex activist, I speak, write and dance for her.
So tell us, Feminist Sexpert! How can we celebrate V-Day? Visit https://www.vday.org/. And to everyone, Happy V-Day!
