University of Arizona's V-DAY Vagina Warriors

Dear [redacted],

I apologize if you’re insulted by the term “vagina”—it really is just another part of human anatomy that happens to have a lot of social stigma surrounding it. As Eve Ensler, author of The Vagina Monologues says:

“When I first began to perform these monologues around the world, I realized that just saying the word vagina caused enormous controversy, because vagina is, in fact, the most isolated, reviled word in any language… The taboo on the word is no accident. As long as we cannot say vagina, vaginas do not exist. They remain isolated and unprotected. Young girls get genitally mutilated and sex trafficked throughout the world. Women get raped and acid-burned, and beaten, and no one is held accountable…” *

While “vagina” may be uncomfortable to read, say, or hear, I personally believe that it is important to break the silence surrounding the word in order to stop perpetuating issues of ignorance and shame surrounding women’s bodies.

Best wishes,

Kaylene Torregrossa
Vagina Warriors
President

[PS. What the fuck are you doing on a feminist listserv if you find the word vagina to be “vulgar”? Check yourself.]

*Eve Ensler, “What Happened To Peace?” 10/23/2006 http://www.vday.org/vmoments/peace