V-Day WSU sells vagina chocolates multiple times a year and puts on a yearly production of “The Vagina Monologues,” former Director Katie Wheeler said. The chapter has to send at least 10 percent of their earnings to the national V-Day organization, but the remainder of the annual proceeds are donated to Alternatives to Violence of the Palouse (ATVP).
“We hear from them every year that they rely very heavily on the money we raise,” Wheeler said. “It’s imperative for them to be able to help survivors in our local area.”
The WSU chapter usually brings in between $7,000 to $9,000 from chocolate and monologue ticket sales, she said. This year, they’re hoping to beat last year’s haul of $7,600.
The national V-Day organization focuses the money they bring in every year on a specific group of women around the world, called a spotlight, Wheeler said. This time, like last year, their spotlight is in Haiti where the funds will benefit the women and girls in that area.
“This is the second time (V-Day has) stayed in one place twice,” she said.
Wheeler said V-Day is important because the organization encourages women to be open about their experiences with violence and their sexuality. The organization also aims to remove stereotypes and stigmas that can sometimes come with sexual abuse, she said.
“It’s a great organization, and we make a tangible difference,” she said. “I’ve been involved since I was a freshman, and it has shaped who I am.”
V-Day WSU will be selling vagina chocolates from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. for the rest of the week in the CUB Spine.
