As part of V-Day 2009, students at the Polytechnic campus performed “The Vagina Monologues” on Friday at the Applied Arts Pavilion.

Students for Social Justice sponsored the show to raise money to end violence against women as well as raise awareness of women’s issues, said Suzanne Hayes, literature, writing and film senior, the group’s president and one of the show’s stars. A crowd of about 75 people turned out for the fifth annual showing of the performance.

“Every year the monologues are updated, and some are changed completely,” Hayes said. “So there’s optional pieces that get fit into it.”

“The Vagina Monologues” were written in 1996 by playwright Eve Ensler. Two years later, Ensler began V-Day, a global movement that coincides with the monologues, to raise money to benefit victims of violence of sexual abuse.

Every year V-Day spotlights a specific group of women, and this year the movement shifted its focus toward the women of the Democratic Republic of Congo and the atrocities they face.

Fifty percent of proceeds from Friday’s performance went to the Power to the Women of DRC Campaign. The remainder of the proceeds was used to benefit EMPACT-SPC Trauma Healing Services. EMPACT provides assistance to victims of sexual and domestic violence in Maricopa County, including all four campuses.

Hayes said the performance raises student awareness about women and girls’ issues.

“The monologues have a great impact on students,” Hayes said. “Many students who have had their own issues or have had their own situations feel empowered to seek help. Some students are just enlightened and have a deeper understanding.”

Rose Farlow, a nutrition sophomore, saw posters about the event at her dorms and decided to attend the show. Farlow said she enjoyed the performance.

“I thought the performance was good. It was informing, but it was also kind of fun,” she said. “It wasn’t too serious, but it wasn’t all laughs either.”

The Polytechnic campus and Chandler-Gilbert Community College have been presenting “The Vagina Monologues” together since 2005, women’s studies senior Leah Heathcoat said.

Heathcoat, one of the founding organizers of the ASU production, performed “The Vagina Monologues” for the last time and said she hopes future students carry on the passion and host the performance again next year.

Heathcoat said she thought the performance was amazing.

“Every year, it turns out so awesome. Every year we have some new people and some old people that come back and do it again, and every year is different and it feels better than the year before,” she said. “It’s always exciting, and I’m very happy about tonight.”

Reach the reporter at snrodri2@asu.edu.