FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 2003

SUCCESS OF VAGINA MONOLOGUES IN DURHAM SETS STAGE FOR PETERBOROUGH PRODUCTIONS

The Women’s Studies class at Trent University@Durham presented three benefit productions last week of Eve Ensler’s award-winning play, The Vagina Monologues, and raised over $5,000 for the Bethesda House Women’s Shelter, Durham Rape Crisis Centre, Ajax-Pickering Women’s Shelter and the YWCA of Durham.

"This was our very best year ever," said Trent Professor Jill Smith, who instructs the introductory Women’s Studies course at Trent@Durham.

This success sets for stage for productions of The Vagina Monologues at Trent University’s Peterborough campus, which will take place on February 26 and 28 at the Wenjack Theatre. The doors will open on both nights at 7:30 p.m., and productions will begin at 8 p.m. Admission is $10 per person.

The Peterborough production has been co-ordinated by the Trent V-Day organization, which involves staff and students. The aim of V-Day, a global event, is to raise awareness of violence against women and girls, and to raise funds for organizations that work to stop that violence. In Peterborough money will be raised for the Trent Women’s Centre, the Kawartha Sexual Assault Centre, the Peterborough Youth Emergency Shelter and the Niijkiwendidaa Anishnaabe-Kwewag Services Circle. The Trent Central Student Association and the Trent Women’s Studies Program are sponsoring the productions.

- 30 -

For more information contact:
Prof. Jill Smith, Trent University, (705) 748-1279
or the Trent@Durham office, (905) 721-3003