Alexandria Office on Women Hosts Lecture
for Sexual Assault Response and Awareness Program

The Alexandria Office on Women's Sexual Assault Response and Awareness
(SARA) Program and the Alexandria Black History Resource Center are
proud to present award-winning playwright, performing artist, poet,
and storyteller Reanae McNeal in her inspirational one-woman
show, 'Don't Speak My Mother's Name in Vain' on April 2, at 7 pm at
the Alexandria Black History Resource Center, 638 N. Alfred St.

In this performance, McNeal shares the history of the rape and sexual
assault of African American women through eight character sketches,
dance, and blues/spiritual song. The characters make the audience
laugh, cry,and dance as they tell their stories. Ultimately, McNeal's
play is about survival, healing and hope. She says, 'I have learned
in my life to realize there are traumatic things that happen, that
are really hurtful and painful, but even in the trauma, the hurt and
the pain, beauty can be birthed out of that.'

One audience member had this to say after McNeal's performance:
Reanae's stories are empowering for every adult and child who ever
had the courage to dream!' Another stated, 'In an hour and a half,
Reanae made us laugh, cry, think, and feel. She is an amazingly
astute performer with an eye for the universal in the human
experience' Others said that they were 'deeply moved' and that her
play was 'a gift.' This is one show you don't want to miss.

Seating is limited, and tickets may be purchased for $8 in advance or,
if available, $10 at the door. For more information or to purchase
tickets, please call the Office on Women 703.838.5030.

---Note new contact information as of 12/15/03---
Rebecca K. Odor, MSW
Director, Sexual Violence Prevention
Center for Injury and Violence Prevention
Virginia Department of Health
109 Governor Street, 8th Floor
Richmond VA 23219
ph: 804-864-7740
fax: 804-864-7748
email: Becky.Odor@...
web: www.vahealth.org/civp/sexualviolence