A celebration of women’s history

By Patrick Bober, Managing Editor
According to the United States Census Bureau, the roots of Women’s History Month go back as far as March 8, 1857 when women working in factories in New York City staged a protest over conditions.
It took another 124 years before Congress, in 1981, decided to make the second week in March Women’s History Week. Then, in 1987, it expanded that week into a month.
“March is a time for celebration and a wonderful month for women in Nutley,” said Mayor Joanne Cocchiola.
The township will mark the month with wide-ranging programs, including a a staged performance of “A Memory, a Monologue, a Rant and a Prayer: Writing to Stop Violence Against Women.”
The production will be staged at Franklin Reformed Church by Nutley Little Theatre group and co-sponsored by the Women’s Initiative of Nutley, or WIN.
The mission of WIN since its formation in 2002 is to celebrate the successes of women through entertaining and educational programs.
“March is a time to showcase the unique talents of our mothers, sisters, girlfriends and neighbors,” said Cocchiola about Women’s History Month. The mayor will be narrating the theater production.
The script is a collection of monologues by notable authors and playwrights, edited by Mollie Doyle and Eve Ensler, author of “The Vagina Monologues.”
All proceeds from the performances will go to benefit the Clara Maass Safe House.
“Our hope is to give them as big a check as possible,” said Linda Ribaudo, a Bloomfield resident and director of the production.
According to their Web site, the Safe House is a shelter for battered women and their children located in Belleville. A 24-hour hotline provides timely and immediate assistance. The group offers safe, temporary housing for women and children in addition to emergency medical treatment, emotional support, short term counseling to those in crisis and assistance with welfare, child care, vocational and educational referrals and legal advocacy. They also provide nutritional meals.
“It’s a good cause,” said Ribaudo. “We all feel that violence is not something that happens ‘out there.’ There are no bystanders. It’s a good cause. It’s a good group.”
The performances of “A Memory, a Monologue, a Rant and a Prayer” are on March 18 and 19 at 8 p.m. both nights. Tickets can be purchased at the door, online at www.nutleylittletheatre.com or by calling 877-238-5596.
“I hope that everyone enjoys the programs that the WIN committee has worked so hard to put together,” said Cocchiola.

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