By Michele Graveline
The 7th annual VDay on the Shore took place at the Old School Community Gathering Place on May 12. The yearly show, inspired by the work of Eve Ensler and her 1996 play, Vagina Monologues, brings light to the dark subject of violence against women, girls, and those who identify as women.
Since last year’s VDay, there has been a dramatic increase in the awareness of gender-based violence, as #AmINext and #MeToo stories have spread across social media. The 2018 VDay performers sought to empower people to continue to work for change and to work on their own healing.
Performers included Linda Bayers, Jude Major, June and Arthur Zilkowsky, Yvette Graveline, Brenda Coombs, Meaghan Salter, Michele Graveline, and Bethana Sullivan. Several audience members called this year’s event “the best show on the shore.”
While VDay on the Shore has been offering a light and safe space for women to tell their stories for the past 7 years, the women involved realized there was a need for ongoing efforts to raise awareness, provide support, network, and identify services to all women on the Shore facing issues of violence. So they founded Women Addressing Violence on the Eastern Shore (WAVES) as a new not-for-profit society. WAVES brings together a group of diversely talented women engaged in community education activities that promote respect, safety, and inclusivity for all women, girls, and those who identify as women.
For more information on WAVES, to get involved in VDay shows, or to connect with interest, email [email protected]
Michele Graveline is WAVES Chair, VDay organizer, and emcee
Photo: Tobbi Dyer
