2008 Woodie Awards
That Takes Ovaries showcases bold stories
Gustavo Gruber
Issue date: 3/24/08 Section: News
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Among those present at the event were Vol State students, faculty and staff members as well as students from Sumner County high schools.
The play was organized in part by the Director of Student Life and Diversity Initiatives, Dr. Monique Wright, and Coordinator of Student Activities, Gina Garera.
The interactive play was directed by That Takes Ovaries' artistic director and workshop leader, Bobbi Ausubel.
"The play, like the book, is a collection of gutsy, bold, brazen acts by women," Ausubel explained to the audience.
"We need to get bold and stand up for us and others," she continued.
"That Takes Ovaries is a unique initiative that mixes arts with activism for women and girls' empowerment," she also said.
Vol State's staff and students had the opportunity to share their "bold" stories with the audience.
Vol State student Barbara Jackson, mother of three and the first person in a four generation family to attend college, shared with the audience an excerpt from the book that in her words, "simplified her life everyday."
"I was very excited when I heard that That Takes Ovaries was coming to Vol State," said Jackson. "I just wanted to let the people know that considering my background, you should never take something that somebody tells you for granted if you really work for your goals."
Garera also played part in the play. She emphasized that it was important for all students to take action and get involved with people.
Garera related a story about her "bold" decision of moving from New York to Tennessee pursuing her dream of getting a master's degree and the obstacles she faced.
Among the activities, Ausubel asked the audience to sit next to an unknown person from the audience and share with them their experiences.
"Everyone has a bold chromosome, no matter what sex you are," she said. "The most important thing is to get rid off sexism, racism and prejudice."
Ausubel also said that Vol State did a great job in organizing the event.
"All these stories have been amazing," Ausubel added. "I am so happy and surprised with the great amount of people that came to the play."
Full productions and staged readings have been done in theaters and on university campuses across North America, she said.
Everyone who shared their bold stories got a chocolate egg ovary wrapped in gold foil, or in Ausubel's words a "Golden Ovary award."
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