Monday, April 2, 2007
A talent and performance show called “Genius of Women” helped raise more than $350 for the Salvation Army this past weekend to benefit battered women and children.
The show featured singers, actors, various musicians and a baton twirler last Friday and Saturday nights. It was designed to celebrate, honor and promote the dignity women, said Maria Thorson, Milwaukee graduate student who helped plan and produce the show.
Friday night’s show attracted more than 165 people, filling every seat in the choir room at Murphy Hall and leaving about three dozen people standing. About 80 people attended Saturday night’s show.
Thorson said that three years ago she helped plan a similar “Genius of Women” show at Saint Louis University based on conversations about women as individuals. She said the show provided another outlet for performers of different talents to express their gratitude to women.
“One of my favorite parts of the show is how we come from different backgrounds and share a similar vision,” she said.
Thorson said the show’s title was from Pope John Paul II’s “Letter to Women,” in which he described his profound love for women.
“He fills women with joy to be women and fills men with joy to have women in their lives,” she said.
Becca Ashley, Olathe sophomore, said that at first she was reluctant to sing at the show.
pullquote
Motherhood especially — it doesn’t get enough credit in our world today. It’s absolutely beautiful.
-Becca Ashley, Olathe sophomore
“I never sing in front of people,” she said. “Only in the shower.”
She said she was happy the “Genius of Women” show was her first chance to perform in front of an audience because it gave her the chance to celebrate women. She sang the song “Christmas Lullaby,” which she said exemplified the dignity of motherhood.
“Motherhood especially — it doesn’t get enough credit in our world today,” Ashley said. “It’s absolutely beautiful.”
Veronica Mosier, Nevada, Mo., sophomore, twirled batons at the show. Mosier has been baton twirling since she was 2 years old, and said she can spin around as many as six times per toss and can twirl five batons at a time.
“A lot of people think it’s pretty weird,” she said. “This is my first performance at KU for them to see me twirl.”
Jared Loehr, Overland Park senior, sang the song “Sing of Mary” Friday night, which helped acknowledge how much women are needed and how special they are, he said.
“I was going to support them from the seat or from the stage,” Loehr said.
Kansan staff writer Brian Lewis-Jones can be contacted at bljones@kansan.com.
— Edited by Carissa Pedigo
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