CORNWALL, Ontario – This Friday, May 19, Cornwall Ramada welcomed guests to the first annual Strong Female Performances for SASS event.
With Sexual Assault Awareness Month wrapping up shortly, the evening featured a wide range of performances – all in celebration of the female experience and the education of sexual assault.
Sexual Assault Support Services (SASS) Executive Director Angela Vinet says that she’s impressed with the support of women in the community.
“It’s really nice to see them supporting us and having a voice,” said Vinet.
With funds from the event going directly back to the organization to support programming, organizer, Amanda Marini-Rohde says she’s hoping to ‘make it really big’ next year. Marini-Rohde had previously been involved with the Vagina Monologues and says that she was on the hunt for something new.
“The mission of the Vagina Monologues really resonates with me, and there was an empty spot in my heart for it,” said Marini-Rhode. “I had to fill that void and give people a platform to talk about their personal experiences.”
Having the connection with the arts community was helpful in the planning stages of the event, allowing guests to learn more about sexual assault through song, dance, poem, and even comedy.
“Sexual assault is something that most women have dealt with to some degree in their lifetime,” said Vinet.“But I think great things can happen when women get together.”
