Tavis Smiley Season 7 Episode 20 Eve Ensler

In Tavis Smiley season 7 episode 20, host Tavis Smiley interviews playwright, performer, and activist Eve Ensler. Ensler is best known for her play The Vagina Monologues, which explores feminine sexuality and empowerment.

The interview begins with a discussion of Ensler's childhood and early career as an activist. Smiley asks how her upbringing influenced her work, and Ensler explains that growing up with an abusive father gave her an early understanding of power dynamics and a desire to create social change.

The conversation then turns to the origins of The Vagina Monologues. Ensler reveals that the play evolved out of a series of interviews she conducted with women about their experiences with their bodies and sexuality. She explains that the play was not intended to be controversial, but that its frank approach to sexuality and provocative title caused a stir.

Smiley asks Ensler about her work with V-Day, a global movement that uses performances of The Vagina Monologues to raise awareness and funds to end violence against women and girls. Ensler explains that the movement has raised millions of dollars and inspired countless grassroots campaigns around the world.

The interview also touches on Ensler's other work as a playwright and activist. She discusses The Good Body, a play about women's attitudes toward their bodies, and In the Body of the World, a memoir about her experience with cancer and activism. She also talks about her efforts to promote the rights of women in the Democratic Republic of Congo, where sexual violence has been used as a weapon of war.

Throughout the interview, Ensler emphasizes the importance of listening to women's voices and creating spaces for them to be heard. She says that women's stories are often overlooked or silenced, but that by sharing them, we can create powerful connections and shift societal norms.

Overall, Tavis Smiley season 7 episode 20 offers a fascinating glimpse into the life and work of Eve Ensler, a pioneering artist and activist who has used her platform to spark meaningful change. Through her candid and inspiring conversation with Tavis Smiley, Ensler sheds light on the power of storytelling and the urgency of addressing issues of gender-based violence and inequality.