In ancient Greece, men would gather in single room buildings to play games, listen to music and discuss politics and philosophy, always with a wine bowl in hand. The only women allowed were servants or musicians. Such a place was
In ancient Greece, men would gather in single room buildings to play games, listen to music and discuss politics and philosophy, always with a wine bowl in hand. The only women allowed were servants or musicians. Such a place was called a symposion. Today the tables have turned, and last week Friday Small Town Coffee became a safe house for women with a voice — a powerful one.
Leah Tamara Harry, YWCA prevention educator, along with many volunteers organized an open mic night at the popular Eastside coffee shop, where women were invited to express themselves. We checked it out and heard some impressive stories.
The event was part of V-Day, a global movement to end violence against women. The event also promoted last week’s “Vagina Monologues,” which was the climax of a two-week long list of events on Kaua‘i.
“The Vagina Monologues” play was originally created in 1997 by Eve Ensler, and it became so popular that she lets communities around the world use it, as long as it is a fundraiser to help end violence against women.
Tamara Harris said that in Hawai‘i, one in seven women will experience a forcible rape, and one in six girls will deal with sexual violence of some sort before age 18.
Many women spoke their stories through readings, poetry, music, dance and arts. A few men, welcomed in this female symposion, also shared their music, stories and poetry.
