'That Takes Ovaries' honors women

It definitely took ovaries for Megan Loftsgaarden, a junior biology major from Eau Claire, Wis., to pull together “That Takes Ovaries,” an open mike fundraiser held in the Recital Hall on the evening of Thursday April 13.

The book “That Takes Ovaries” is a compilation of women’s stories about their bold, brave, and courageous acts. “That Takes Ovaries” has also become a play, and an open mike fundraiser.

The open mike fundraiser held at Viterbo benefited local women’s shelter, New Horizons, as well as international group, Equality Now. Loftsgaarden decided to organize this event on behalf of the Viterbo University Women’s Rugby Football Club and the Viterbo Honors program.

To kick off the open mike portion of the event, Captain Deborah Dempsey shared her story of how she made an impact in a male-dominated field. Dempsey was the first woman to graduate from a federal or state maritime or service academy. Dempsey is also the first woman to hold an unlimited master’s license to command a cargo ship on international voyages. Dempsey currently is the only woman a part of the Colombia River Bar Pilots. Although Dempsey shared only a limited scope of her accomplishments, it was clear that she had forged a path for women mariners.

Numerous other women shared their experiences, or stories of women they knew who “had ovaries.” Each person who shared as a part of the open mike received a Golden Ovary, golden eggs, filled with chocolate symbolizing the appreciation these women deserve.

Loftsgaarden got the idea to host a “That Takes Ovaries” event in 2007. A friend of Loftsgaarden experienced sexual assault, which led the two to Jessica Woods, Viterbo University’s sexual assault advocate. Loftsgaarden was left affected by this experience and wanted to do something. The well known “Vagina Monologues” seemed too controversial, so Woods suggested that Loftsgaarden look into “That Takes Ovaries.”                                                                                                      

Loftsgaarden became an active member when the Viterbo Women’s Rugby Club formed in 2008. The Women’s Rugby Club included “That Takes Ovaries” in their agenda as a community service event. Loftsgaarden just needed to find the right time to get this event in motion.

Everything came together for Loftsgaarden this school year. Loftsgaarden, a part of Viterbo’s Honors Program, learned that putting on this event would be accepted for credit in her honors class. Loftsgaarden now had Viterbo behind her in this quest. Although there was some skepticisms at first, Loftsgaarden plugged forward with the project.

“Susan Cosby Ronnenberg and Emily Dykman, my advisers on this project, helped me really get this project off the ground—I couldn’t have done it without them.” Loftsgaarden said.