Vagina.

With the mention of the word — heads turn, mouths drop and eyes widen. The Vagina Monologues is not an ordinary event.

On Thursday and Friday, as part of the College Campaign, the Women’s Center is sponsoring the production of Eve Ensler’s Vagina Monologues.

The monologues are filled with humor, sexuality and serious issues of what women all around the world are experiencing.

The play raises money and awareness in an effort to stop rape, incest, battery, genital mutilation and sexual slavery.

The proceeds of this year’s event are going to three different beneficiaries: Interact, a local rape crisis and domestic violence organization, the University’s rape and sexual assault response line and the Comfort Women — women who were subjected to sexual services for Japanese troops between 1932 and 1945. In the past eight years, the monologues, written and originally performed by Ensler, have inspired an organized global movement to stop violence against women and girls.

This movement is known as ‘V-day,’ which stands for Vagina, Valentine and Victory.

Campuses worldwide participate in the College Campaign by presenting Ensler’s Vagina Monologues in close proximity to Valentine’s Day.

Shannon Johnson, newly appointed director of the Women’s Center, said the monologues encourage women to appreciate themselves in a society that still has a tendency to lower their self-esteem.

Johnson cited a common quote that she thought epitomizes the play: “It brazenly explores questions often pondered, but seldom asked.”

Johnson believes the play is a great way to generate conversation whether it is between mothers and daughters, friends or women in general.

“It pulls the word ‘vagina’ out of the shadows,” Johnson said.

Caroline Monday, a senior in English and participant in this year’s production of the play, explained the apparent ‘taboo’ concerning vaginas.

“Vaginas are something people don’t think about much. They certainly don’t talk about them and taboo isn’t healthy,” she said.

The play also shines light upon serious issues on a global scale.

Erin Tracey, a junior in biochemistry, said she saw the Vagina Monologues two years ago and plans to see it again this year.

“The goal is a long way off. There’s a lot of work that needs to be done, but the monologues really bring to light important issues,” she said.

Beau Winslow, a sophomore in arts applications, has also attended showings of the monologues in the past.

“Vaginas were always cool, but Eve Ensler made them cooler,” Winslow said.

While it may seem that the play speaks solely to women, Johnson pointed to the need for men to understand women and help stop the violence against them.

“We can’t get equality without the help of men — they need to understand us,” Johnson said. “If [men] have a woman in their life that is significant to them that they want to better understand — this will help.”