When most people think of Valentine's Day, they think of hearts, candy and flowers. An organization called V-Day is asking people to think of putting an end to violence against women as well.
The organization and ensuing movement were inspired by the Eve Ensler's play "The Vagina Monologues," which will be performed Friday and Saturday at Paddy's Pub, formerly known as Stop 345.
"It became such a phenomenon that it grew into an organization called V-Day," said Tracy Duckworth, a U of M alumni who is working on the performance as an assistant to the director, executive producer and actress.
The play centers around monologues from a diverse group of characters, who are all women, and who all talk about a central topic - the vagina.
"The Vagina Monologues are a great way to mix in pieces that are not only about violence against women, but deal with women's bodies as well," said Teresa Diener, who will be performing in the play.
According to Duckworth the name for V-Day comes from a "combination of Valentine's, victory, violence and vagina." She also said that the goal of the organization is "to stop violence against women and children."
Duckworth said that she finds "The Vagina Monologues" personally meaningful.
"Because of the fact that I have been in an abusive situation, to know that there are people that have been worse off than me and have become stronger people because of it is really amazing," she said.
Diener said that another interesting part of this local performance of the play is that none of the performers are actors.
"These are just everyday women and it's a chance for these women to kind of break outside of themselves and perform pieces and discuss their bodies in ways that they don't normally do in everyday life," she said.
"The Vagina Monologues" feature monologues about menstruation, which according to Diener, is usually seen by society as something women should be discreet about.
"In society we see these things as embarrassing, but these women get up on stage and just let it out and talk about it and it's accepted and validated," Diener said.
Carol Peterson, the producer of the show and director of V-Day Memphis, said that people should see the play because "one in three women or children have been abused in this country, and one in three people is a lot of people, so it's either you or someone you know."
Peterson added that the play has a lot of humor in it as well.
"It's a lot of fun too," she said. "It doesn't stay serious and if it did we would never be able to make it through the show."
Peterson said that The U of M has been trying to get it's own show going, but has had trouble getting the project off the ground.
"Hopefully someone from The U of M will inspired to get this into our community," she said.
The performance Friday night is pay what you can, and Saturday night the tickets are $10 in advance and $15 at the door and can be purchased at vdaymemphis.org or at Otherlands on Cooper.
