Today, the VDay Global Movement to end violence against women and girls celebrates 15 years of activism, creativity and feminism inspired by playwright, feminist, activist, Eve Ensler. On International Women’s Day, Friday March 8th and again on Saturday March 9th 2013, at 8PM on the Bronson Centre stage, a volunteer cast of 39 women will perform Ensler’s best known play The Vagina Monologues for VDay Ottawa 2013.  This year’s The Vagina Monologues will showcase CJOH’s Kimothy Walker and Kitchissippi Ward Councillor Katherine Hobbs in Friday and Saturday’s shows, respectively. The proceeds raised will benefit the Sexual Assault Support Centre of Ottawa and the One Billion Rising VDay’s Spotlight Campaign.

What is One Billion Rising?
One Billion Rising is global call to action uniting women and men from 200 countries (and counting!) on February 14th 2013. We will Strike Dance and Rise Up for the more than 1 billion women and girls who will be beaten or raped in their lifetime.

One in Three Women On The Planet Will Be Raped Or Beaten In Her Lifetime. One Billion Women Violated Is An Atrocity. ONE BILLION RISING IS a global strike, an invitation to dance, a call to men and women to refuse to participate in the status quo until rape and rape culture ends, an act of solidarity, demonstrating to women the commonality of their struggles and their power in numbers, a refusal to accept violence against women and girls as a given, a new time and a new way of being.

Today, on V-Day’s 15th Anniversary, 14 February 2013, we are inviting ONE BILLION women and those who love them to WALK OUT, DANCE, RISE UP, and DEMAND an end to this violence. ONE BILLION RISING will move the earth, activating women and men across every country. V-Day wants the world to see our collectivestrength, our numbers, and our solidarity across borders. Join V-Day on 02.14.13.

What does ONE BILLION look like? On 14 February 2013, it will look like a REVOLUTION!

Experience the RISING being live streamed around the world.  Click here.

On V-Day’s 15th Anniversary, 14 February 2013, we are inviting ONE BILLION women and those who love them to WALK OUT, DANCE, RISE UP, and DEMAND an end to this violence. ONE BILLION RISING will move the earth, activating women and men across every country. V-Day wants the world to see our collective strength, our numbers, our solidarity across borders.

ONE IN THREE WOMEN ON THE PLANET WILL BE RAPED OR BEATEN IN HER LIFETIME

ONE BILLION WOMEN VIOLATED IS AN ATROCITY

ONE BILLION WOMEN DANCING IS A REVOLUTION

What does ONE BILLION look like? On 14 February 2013, it will look like a REVOLUTION.

ONE BILLION RISING IS:

A global strike
An invitation to dance
A call to men and women to refuse to participate in the status quo until rape and rape culture ends
An act of solidarity, demonstrating to women the commonality of their struggles and their power in numbers
A refusal to accept violence against women and girls as a given
A new time and a new way of being

To learn more about how to organize a ONE BILLION RISING V-Day event, click here.

Also, if you have an event that you are putting together in the  Ottawa/Gatineau area, contact us with the details and we’ll help you get the word out!

Live, Laugh, Love….RISE!

Amanda Cottreau, Director of Celebrate HER

Promoting amazing women doing extraordinary things!

The play is based on V-Day Founder/playwright Eve Ensler’s interviews with more than 200 women. The piece celebrates women’s sexuality and strength with humour and grace. Through this play, countless women throughout the world have taken control of their bodies and their lives. For more than thirteen years, The Vagina Monologues has given voice to experiences and feelings not previously exposed in public.

Electronic tickets available through Eventbrite at a nominal convenience fee.

Tickets are $25 in advance or $30 at the door.

Tickets also available at these locations:

Singing Pebble Books (202 Main St) 613-230-9165 (cash sales only)

Elgin Video (258 Elgin St) 613-234-9499 (cash & debit sales only)

Venus Envy (320 Lisgar) 613-789-4646 (cash / debit / credit sales)

Ottawa Women’s Credit Union (271 Bank St.) 613- 233-7711 (cash sales only)

Proceeds will go to support a local Ottawa charity: The Sexual Assault Support Center (SASC).

MAJOR SPONSORS

CHEECHA PUFFS
Tracey Cadrin, CadCan Marketing and Sales Inc. CheeCha Puffs, water bottles and ladies golf shirts.
JENNIFER CHURCHILL PHOTOGRAPHY
Jennifer Churchill – Official CHER2012 Photographer Email: jennifer.churchill.photography@gmail.com
PROJECT PRICELESS
Jordan & Brian Kent-Baas – Official #CHER2012 Blogging Team.
SWEET CHILI DESIGN
Rob Dupuis. Brand manager and webmaster and Tweetwall ninja.
TRUFFLE TREASURES
USEDOTTAWA.COM 
VSP PRINTING

SPONSORING VENUES

Alpha Soul Cafe - Photo Installation/Live Music
1015 Wellington Street W – Hintonburg
The Daily Grind - Visual Arts/Community Arts Project
601 Somerset Street W – Chinatown
Flo Glassblowing Studio - Visual Arts
957 Gladstone Avenue, Suite C – Little Italy
Patrick John Mills Contemporary Fine Art Gallery - Visual Arts/Live Music/Dance/Poetry
286 Hinchey Avenue - Hintonburg
Le Michel-Ange - Visual Arts
35 Laurel Street – Hintonburg

DONORS

Dmitry Kulakov http://www.dkguitars.com
Anna Funnekotter http://www.artfolio.com/StudioAnna
Annie Mathieu http://www.studios99.com
Blend Creations http://blendcreations.com/
Blue Gypsy Wines http://www.bluegypsywines.com/
Boston Pizza Orleans http://www.bostonpizza.com/en
Canvas Restaurant http://www.canvasrestobar.ca/
Cuillère à Sucre ℅ Jasleen Kaur - Email:  CuillereaSucre@gmail.com
Enterprise Rent-A-Car ℅ Colin Laylock, Branch Manager http://www.enterpriserentacar.ca
Fil’s Diner http://www.filsdiner.ca/filsdiner/index.asp
Great Canadian Theatre Company (GCTC) http://www.gctc.ca/
Hintonburg Public House ℅ Summer JL Baird http://hintonburgpublichouse.ca/
Jasmine Aziz http://www.jasmineaziz.com/
Julie Cameron - 15 Mainz Translation http://www.facebook.com/jyccameron
K2 Martial Arts & Fitness http://martialartsottawa.com/
Kim Kaskiw http://www.kimkaskiw.com
Lauzon Music http://www.lauzonmusic.com/
Lilac Lingerie ℅ Emilia Kutrovska http://www.lilaclingerie.ca/
Michael Boguslavsky Massage http://www.bmrmt.com/
Nerys Parry http://www.nerysparry.com/
Pet Awareness in Laos http://petawarenessinlaos.com/
Petit Bill’s Bistro http://www.petitbillsbistro.com/
Sandra Nicholls http://www.sandranicholls.com/
Stairwell Leo http://www.stairwellleo.com/
Steve Perron http://www.reverbnation.com/steveperron
The Brew Table http://www.thebrewtable.com
The Wakefield Grannies http://www.thegrannies.org/sommaire.php3
THS The Hair Studio ℅ Natalie “scizzorgirl” Turcotte
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Natalie-scizzorgirl-Turcotte/150932784944979?sk=info
Tuesdays The Romance Store http://tuesdaystheromancestore.com/
Urbanfete ℅ Christine Burnside www.urbanfete.com

Building on the success of last year’s inaugural event, this year features a week of activities centred in Hintonburg, Chinatown and Little Italy (Alpha Soul Cafe, Flo Glassblowing Studio, Patrick John Mills Gallery, Le Michel-Ange & The Daily Grind Art Cafe).  This week-long fine-arts fundraising and awareness campaign will benefit Ottawa’s Sexual Assault Support Centre (SASC), “Amazing Women” and local artists.

Now, the centrepiece of this year’s celebration is the Amazing Women Photo Installation at Alpha Soul Cafe showcasing the distinguished honourees.  The final selection of local women being featured include:

1. Naomi Guzman-Poole (ARTS)
2. Rebecca Page (BUSINESS)
3. Michelle Gauthier (NON PROFIT)
4. Serena Ngai (SCIENCE & TECH)
5. Gail Carmichael (SCIENCE & TECH)
6. Isabelle Després (SPORTS)
7. Kelly Rusk (BUSINESS-SCIENCE & TECH)
8. Nadine Thornhill (ARTS – EDUCATION)
9. Krissy White (BUSINESS – ARTS)
10. Megan Campbell (HEALTH & WELLNESS)
11. Constance Backhouse (LAW-EDUCATION)
12. Maria Hawkins (ARTS – EDUCATION)
13. Jules Hilliker (BUSINESS-HEALTH & WELLNESS)
14. Jennifer Flanagan (SCIENCE & TECH – EDUCATION)
15. Jordan Kent-Baas (MEDIA-NON-PROFIT)
16. Elizabeth Lance (BUSINESS – ARTS)
17. Dipna Horra (ARTS – EDUCATION)
18. Leigh Reid & Karen Nielson (NON-PROFIT)

Join us in celebrating these “Amazing Women” during the week- long community festival Celebrate HER 2012, starting this week (March 3 – 10, 2012), and coinciding with International Woman’s Week. Check out our EVENTS page for dates and details on performances through the week, in honour of our distinguished honourees.  Entry to all shows, with the exception of Gala are $5 suggested donation or Pay What You Can (PWYC), so you can’t afford not to go!

Also be sure to RSVP via facebook as we will be drawing attendee names for raffle prizes, each night!   Please visit our DONOR/SPONSOR page to see what prizes have been donated.

March 3rd http://www.facebook.com/events/334931369884992/ Launch
March 3rd http://www.facebook.com/events/296015113787248/ 3Women3Books
March 4th http://www.facebook.com/events/153925184726799/ Arif Jinha
March 5th http://www.facebook.com/events/297642633630012/ Anastasia Filippova
March 6th http://www.facebook.com/events/165516380230498/ Jack Pine + Guests
March 7th http://www.facebook.com/events/299559756764978/  Melody Jewitt + Poets Brandon Wint & Sepideh
*March 8th http://www.facebook.com/events/350634978293153/ Tara Porter, Gabrielle Giguere + Special Guests for *International Women’s Day!
March 9th http://www.facebook.com/events/284657888268581/ Adrian Matte and the Ottawa Folklore Centre Jazz Band
March 10th http://www.facebook.com/events/321774611202024/ Gala

Be sure to join us at Patrick John Mills Contemporary Art Gallery on Saturday, March 10th, 3-6pm, for the Grand Finale Charity Gala.  Enjoy performances by local Capital Slam poet legends Nathanael Larochette and Ikenna “OpenSecret” Onyegbula, as well as neo-folk instrumentalists, Musk Ox.  Indulge in catered delicacies provide by Alpha Soul Cafe, decadent desserts by Cuillère à Sucre and complimentary wine.  Raise your glass in honor of our distinguished guests and celebrate with community.

Also, remember to enter into the Grand Finale Raffle for your chance to win the Grand Prize Raffle items – The “Harmony” Guitar crafted by Dmitry Kulakov of DK Guitars, a three month training package at K2 Martial Arts & Fitness and a two hour live entertainment package with Stairwell Leo.

This festival is 100 percent volunteer-driven, and is possible thanks to generous donations from local businesses, and even ones further afield.  Thank you to all our incredible donors and sponsors for helping to make this event possible.

NOMINATIONS

What does it mean to nominate someone?
When you nominate someone, you want to recognize her publically for her efforts.  You want to communicate to her that what she is doing is making a difference in our community. You want to share your gratitude and want to let her know just how amazing she is. You also want her to be featured on this website as well as the week-long photography installation at Alpha Soul Cafe, Ottawa, this March 3-10, 2012.

I know this amazing woman…how do I nominate her?
To nominate an amazing women simply contact us at info@celebrateher.org or use the contact form provided on the Celebrate Her website. Please be sure to include NOMINEE in the subject line as well as the following information in your message:

1. Tell us how the nominee has made a positive impact in our community and why do you think she should be recognized. (In 250 words or less).
2. Provide a link to a site showcasing the nominee’s work and/or press coverage of this woman’s contribution to the community.
3. Let us know your name and relation, if any, to the nominee (please qualify if you wish to remain anonymous).

Please note that nominees for the week-long photography installation in March must currently reside in the Ottawa/Gatineau area. Nominees outside of the Ottawa area will still be considered and potentially featured through our other social media outlets i.e., facebook, twitter and blog.

NOMINEES

What does it mean to be nominated?
When you are nominated, it’s the community’s way of recognizing your contributions and honouring the amazing woman they think you are! All nominees will receive mention via social media outlets (twitter + facebook) and an upcoming blog post on the Celebrate HER website. Nominations are ongoing throughout the year; however, we will be identifying 10-15 “Amazing Women” in the Ottawa/Gatineau area to feature in a week week-long photography installation at Alpha Soul Cafe (Ottawa) this March 3-10, 2012.

Note: there is no voting involved to determine the selection of featured women, simply a review by the Celebrate HER Planning Committee.

How do I know if I’ve been selected to be featured in the March installation?
If selected to be one of the “Amazing Women” featured in the March photo installation, a Celebrate HER planning committee member will contact you and invite you to attend the 2nd Annual Celebrate HER Charity Soirée on March 10, 2012 at The Alpha Soul Cafe, Wellington Street W in Ottawa (as our special guest of course).

Is there anything I need to do?
Actually yes. We are going to need a large portrait style head shot for the installation as well as a high resolution version for our website. For the installation you may either submit an 8 x 10 photograph of your choosing or opt to schedule a photo session with our official event photographer.  You may also, want to start shopping for some formal wear for the Charity Soirée.

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February 24-25, 2012 | The Bronson Centre, 211 Bronson Ave | 8pm
The Sexual Assault Support Centre of Ottawa (SASC) Ottawa: V-Day 2012 presents a benefit production of  THE VAGINA MONOLOGUES (#TVM2012)

The play is based on V-Day Founder/playwright Eve Ensler’s interviews with more than 200 women. The piece celebrates women’s sexuality and strength with humour and grace. Through this play, countless women throughout the world have taken control of their bodies and their lives. For more than twelve years, The Vagina Monologues has given voice to experiences and feelings not previously exposed in public.

• Regular Tickets: All tickets are $20 in advance.  A small number of tickets may be available at the door for $25.
• Sponsor Tickets:  Available at $100 per ticket.   With each Sponsor ticket seat purchased, you will receive an $80 tax receipt and a seat in the reserved section.
• Community Tickets: Also available for purchase.  These tickets will be donated to women in the community who are service users of either SASC or Minwaashin Lodge and who would like to attend the production.  A tax receipt can be issued for the purchase of these community tickets.

The proceeds of this year’s production will go towards two local charities working to end violence against women: The Sexual Assault Support Centre of Ottawa (SASC) and Minwaashin Lodge Aboriginal Women’s Support Centre. Also, 10% will go towards the VDay 2012 spotlight campaign – Women and Girls of Haiti.

This year’s production is hosted by The Sexual Assault Support Centre of Ottawa in partnership with Minwaashin Lodge Aboriginal Women’s Support Centre.

Sexual Assault Support Center (SASC)
The Sexual Assault Support Centre (SASC) is a non-profit charity and community based organization established in 1983. Our purpose is to provide survivor directed support services by women, to women, who have experienced sexual violence. We strive to increase public awareness and offer training on the issues and effects of violence against women. We also engage in action to pressure for change in the structures and systems that contribute to the practice, maintenance, and tolerance of violence, oppression, discrimination and exploitation. Our work is informed by the principles of a feminist, anti-oppression framework, and our vision is a society free of all forms of violence.

Minwaashin Lodge Aboriginal Woman’s Support Centre
The mission of Minwaashin Lodge is to provide prevention and intervention services and programs for grandmothers, women, children and youth who are survivors of family violence and the residential school system, including those impacted by intergenerational effects. A full range of violence prevention and intervention programs and services is provided in the context of reclaiming the wisdom of First Nations, Métis and Inuit cultural teachings.

V-Day is a global activist movement to end violence against women and girls. V-Day is a catalyst that promotes creative events to increase awareness, raise money, and revitalize the spirit of existing anti-violence organizations. V-Day generates broader attention for the fight to stop violence against women and girls, including rape, battery, incest, female genital mutilation (FGM), and sex slavery.

Through V-Day campaigns, local volunteers and college students produce annual benefit performances of The Vagina Monologues, A Memory, A Monologue, A Rant and A Prayer, Any One Of Us: Words From Prison, screenings of V-Day’s documentary Until The Violence Stops, and the PBS documentary What I Want My Words To Do To You, Spotlight Teach-Ins and V-Men workshops, to raise awareness and funds for anti-violence groups within their own communities.

March 3 – 10, 2012 | Ottawa – Wellington West, Chinatown, Little Italy | TBA

Because one day just isn’t long enough, Celebrate HER is organizing a week long fund raising initiative, in the spirit of  International Women’s Day (#IWD2012). Festivities will run from March 3 – March 10, 2012. Proceeds will go to support the Sexual Assault Support Centre (SASC). The events are taking place in a number of venues located within some of Ottawa’s art hubs – Wellington West, Chinatown and Little Italy. We are featuring a variety of fine-arts presentations, including: music, theatre, dance, visual art and spoken word poetry. We are also putting together a photo installation honoring some amazing  women in our community, at the Alpha Soul Cafe, 1015 Wellington Street W. Ottawa, ON.

Click here to find out more about how to nominate a woman you feel is deserving of recognition.

The Sexual Assault Support Centre (SASC) hosts a Women and War Program’s art group. The Women and War Program offers support services to survivors of war, rape, torture and sexual violence.  The majority of women participating in this program come from war zones, civil conflicts and refugee camps. The program provides one-on-one support, group support and advocacy. It also aims to improve services and the quality of life for immigrant and refugee women and their families.

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Endless gratitude to all of the sponsors, donors, volunteers, artists, community and media for helping to make the evening a tremendous success.  Together we raised $2,500 for Cornerstone’s Emergency Shelter and crafted an evening many can’t stop talking about.  On behalf of Cornerstone and the more than 500 women they support. Much thanks.

SPONSORS
Ahmed Masud  Founder of Trustifier, Ahmed has provided the security of the CelebrateHER.org site. He has also been a wellspring of knowledge, support and resource. www.trustifier.com
Don Monet  Ottawa artist, curator and activist, Don granted the use of his gallery on a coveted Saturday night.  He is an avid supporter of independent fine artists and local charities. www.cubegallery.ca
Dwayne Brown Owner and Lead Photographer at Dwayne Brown Studio, Dwayne donated stock photos, assisted in event concept design and has created a complimentary face study of women in our community.  www.dwaynebrown.com
Elizabeth Lance  Manager of The Ingenuity Group and fellow musician, Elizabeth donated a reserved evening rental of the Cube Gallery, use of her staff, as well as office space and resources.  www.ingenuitygroup.ca
Rob Dupuis Founder of Sweetchili, Rob assisted in the development, building and updating for the CelebrateHer.Org event website. www.sweetchilidesign.ca
Robert Smith Founder and Creative Director of Greenmelon Inc., Robert designed the branding as well as the layout for all the CelebrateHer.Org promotional materials. www.greenmeloninc.com

SILENT AUCTION & RAFFLE DONORS  
Stairwell Leo – One Hour Private House Concert | Hummingbird Spa – Hummingbird Pedicure Gift Certificate | Cherry Blossoms – Pole Dancing Exercise Class Gift Certificate | D’Arcy McGee’s Premium Pub –  Dining Gift Certificate | Jean Jewer – Abstract Painting | Jennifer Passmore – Two Tickets to Verdi’s Requiem (NAC) | K2 Martial Arts – Three Month Family Membership | Kami Dulop – Published Book “Never Say Never” | Katherine Morley – Porcelain Vase | Kelly Ryan of Vivante Hair Salon – Gift Certificate | Leo Tacconelli – DJ Services Gift Certificate | Margo Scott of Bija-Bijoux - Ann Taylor Necklace | Mary Elizabeth Marshall – Abstract Painting | Michael Boguslavsky B&M Therapy Clinic – One Hour Massage

VOLUNTEERS
Baylie Beck, Carol Sollows, Izabela DesGranges, Dominique & Sylvie (Cube Gallery Staff), Karine Roy, Nancy Blaine, Chris Harding, Sara Miall, Gord Elliott, Jessica O’Leary, Kim McLeod, Lorrianne Szivy, Mike Landry, Steve Perron, Yvonne Garvey