On Saturday, February 23 at 7:00 pm, I went to see Michiana Monologues: Local Women’s Stories – Breaking the Silence to End the Violence at Indiana University South Bend.  This production was patterned after the Vagina Monologues but featured local women’s stories.  The idea to use local women’s stories was based on a production by St. Mary’s College students called SMC Monologues.  SMC Monologues was created from submissions by St. Mary’s students, alumnae, sisters and staff.  To involve more women from the area, Michiana Monologues welcomed submissions from the community. 

This production was presented by V-Club (Voices Against Violence) IUSB.  The stories read were sometimes funny and sometimes sad, but they were always moving.  The purpose of this production was to involve people in the effort to stop violence against women.  The goal of Michiana Monologues was not only to involve women within the community to become involved and tell their stories, but to educate a wider audience about the challenges women face.  It also intends to bring attention to violence against women and to force others to acknowledge that violence is a human rights violation.  Finally, it encourages others to work toward gender justice.

Even though the subtitle of this production was Breaking the Silence to End the Violence, not all the stories were about violence against women.  The stories told involved everything from a woman attempting to interpret her husband’s driving directions to childhood sexual abuse.  These were stories that needed to be told but also needed to be heard.   As more becomes known about the serious, long-term consequences of gender based violence, there will be more efforts to address the problem.  The story that moved me the most and actually made me cry was “Aftermath.”  It was the story of a woman’s struggles to deal with the effects of childhood sexual abuse.  Although I have never had to deal with this issue, I could feel this woman’s pain as the story was being read.  Another story, “Is He Catholic?” was a woman’s funny story of her mother’s pressure for her to marry a “good Catholic boy.”  It ended on a sad note, however, because she gave up her true love for a Catholic boy that turned out to be addicted to cocaine.  Other stories dealt with issues women deal with on a daily basis.  Stories about first kisses, abusive relationships, abortion, sexuality and coming out were all read during the evening. 

The room was packed with women and men of all ages.  Over 250 tickets were sold for each night of the show and the silent auction was also very successful. The V-Club came very close to meeting their goal of $10,000.  The profits from Michiana Monologues will benefit St. Margaret’s House, SOS of Madison Center and the YWCA of St. Joseph County.   If you missed this year’s production, you can still show your support by submitting your donation and it will be divided evenly between the three organizations.  You can send your check, made out to “V-Club IUSB to:

V-Club IUSB: Michiana Monologues

c/o April Lidinsky, Ph.D.

Women’s Studies Program

2257 Wiekamp Hall

Indiana University South Bend

1700 Mishawaka Ave, PO Box 7111

South Bend, IN 46634-71111

 One of the best things about this program is that it raised awareness of women’s issues.  There were some funny stories about the many demands of children and jobs and school make on women’s lives, especially single mothers.  If you missed this event or even if you didn’t, there will be a joint production of St. Mary’s College Monologues and Michiana Monologues on Saturday, April 19th at 7pm in the Bendix Theatre, Century Center, Downtown South Bend.  The tickets are $10 and are available at Circa Arts, Lula’s, The Beehive, and the Chicory Cafe, or by calling April Lidinsky at 874-520-4528 or Catherine Pittman at 574-284-4533.  Tickets will also be available at the door.  All proceeds will be donated to YWCA of St. Joe County and SOS of Madison Center.