V-day & Circle of Health International

Tonight a group of wonderful New York based artists and activists will use literature, theatre, and music to promote a non-violent and healthy world through their production of A Memory, a Monologue, a Rant, and a Prayer. Edited by V-day founder Eve Ensler, A Memory, a Monologue, a Rant, and a Prayer features pieces from Until the Violence Stops, the international tour that brings the issue of violence against women and girls to the forefront of our consciousness. The collection includes pieces by Maya Angelou, Kathy Najimy, Edward Albee, Alice Walker and many more.

Ninety percent of proceeds raised from the NYC event will benefit Circle of Health International (COHI), an international non-governmental organization that seeks to empower women's health care professionals in crisis settings. Founded in 2004, COHI currently works in Louisiana, Israel/Palestine, Tanzania, Tibet, Sri Lanka, and Sudan.COHI operates on the tenets of consensus-based decision-making, non-violence, and the grassroots model of social change.

Ten percent of the proceeds raised from the NYC event will benefit V-Day, the global movement to stop violence against women and girls. V-Day is a catalyst that promotes creative events to increase awareness, raise money and revitalize the spirit of existing anti-violence organizations. V-Day generates broader attention for the fight to stop violence against women and girls, including rape, battery, incest, female genital mutilation (FGM) and sexual slavery.

Spearheaded by Tiffany Grosso and Kerri Kimball, the March 26th A Memory, a Monologue, a Rant, and a Prayer V-day event takes place at the Broadstreet Ballroom (41 Broad Street) from 6-10pm and will feature live performances by Alysia Reiner (Sideways), Peggy Cafferty (Fur), author Periel Aschenbrand, and many more (including your fellow blogger, me!) Plus a special musical guest performance by 2008 GRAMMY nominee Emily King. Tickets are $85 can be purchased online until noon today here or at the door.

And if you don't live in the New York City area you can still help, just visit www.cohintl.org and www.vday.org to donate, get involved, and learn more.