Aimee O'Connor hurries into class wearing a pink T-shirt that says, "I am a feminist and I bake really good cupcakes."

O'Connor, a junior women's studies and English literature double major, does not hate men. She does not scream at the top of her lungs and carry a picket sign.

Yes, she is a feminist, and she's not afraid to say it.

"I hear a lot of 'I'm not a feminist but…'" O'Connor said. "I think people are afraid of that scary, scary

f-word. I'm very open about my beliefs. Even if you are open with yourself, it might be hard to open up to the world because people might associate you with the old, tired stereotypes of feminists."

Caroline Renfro, junior early education major and president of Associated Women Students (AWS), said she and the other members of AWS are working to change the perception of feminism-at Miami University and outside the bubble.

"Feminism is still such a dirty word," Renfro said. "We're doing a lot to work on that."

V- day­ isn't Valentine's Day anymore

Renfro, O'Connor and the approximately 15 active members of AWS have spent hours to bring The Vagina Monologues to Miami's campus Feb. 26 to 28. Directed by Roxanne Ornelas, professor of geography and women's studies, Renfro said this year's cast includes mostly Miami undergraduate students, a few graduate students and one professor.

Although the monologues have been appearing on campus for several years, Renfro said each year's production is a unique experience.

"The Vagina Monologues is a play or series of monologues written by Eve Ensler," Renfro said. "She interviewed women about sex, rape, their first periods, giving birth-everything about the female experience and the vagina."

Sample monologues include "My angry vagina," "My vagina was my village" and "I was there in the room."

Renfro said the monologues were first performed in New York City and have now morphed into the creation of the V-day organization, a global non-profit fund dedicated to ending violence against women.

Proceeds from this year's performance, Renfro said, will go toward the Butler County Rape Crisis Center and to the 2009 V-day fund which will benefit women in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Yet, while The Vagina Monologues is a charitable endeavor, Renfro said she was personally affected the first time she saw the play at Washington University during her senior year of high school.

"I kind of always knew I was a huge feminist," Renfro said, "but this totally sealed it. The play made me feel really comfortable with the word vagina, and I have one so I should feel comfortable."

Renfro said her first experience with The Vagina Monologues also made her more aware of the varied plights of women around the world.

"It opened my eyes to the different socio-economic situations around the world," Renfro said. "Not all women experience things in the same way."

Feminist stereotypes

One of the biggest challenges for AWS is defying stereotypes.

"It's a common misconception that all feminists are lesbians," Renfro said. "It's one of our biggest hurdles."

For O'Connor, another hurdle is overcoming the desire to separate feminism from its past.

"I hate to hear people say 'I'm a feminist but not one of those,'" O'Connor said. "Who are those feminists? The women who won the rights you have now? A lot of people feel like they have to qualify what type of feminist they are."

According to Jane Goettsch, director of the Women's Center, feminism often struggles to be understood.

"Some of the biggest struggles for the Women's Center and for feminism include understanding our role in global feminisms and understanding generational differences in how feminism is viewed," Goettsch said. "We struggle with stereotypes about feminism and with the belief that women's rights have been won so that there is no longer a need for a women's movement."

Similarly, Renfro said dissenters argue feminism is no longer necessary.

"A lot of people think feminism doesn't need to be around anymore," Renfro said. "You can see we still need feminism. There are still stereotypes, pay inequalities and schools favor boys in sports. It's still not equal. It's all little things, and it's not going to change overnight."

For Goettsch, exposing issues and discussing controversial subjects are ways to inspire change.

"Programs like The Vagina Monologues and the Women's Center empower women by giving voice to issues not otherwise talked about and by providing safe space for exploring controversial issues and ideas," Goettsch said.

F.m.l.- feminism in my life

According to Renfro, programs such as The Vagina Monolgoues and AWS's F-week in April represent a third wave of feminism.

"A lot of the third wave is realizing not everyone has to have the same ideas," Renfro said.

While Renfro said the main focus of AWS is on sexual assault and violence against women, she said feminism can be individually interpreted and practiced by its supporters.

"Feminism is like a religion," Renfro said. "You can all be feminists, but everyone can have a different twist. We all care about a number of issues, but several people have a number one issue."

O'Connor agreed.

"The ultimate goal of feminism is an idealistic goal of ultimate equality," O'Connor said, "but a lot of people have different approaches."

Renfro said the way in which feminists manage issues has changed.

"It starts by showing you can do anything instead of just saying you can do it because you're a woman," Renfro said. "There is something to be said about marching and advocating policy changes, but you need to go beyond that."

To O'Connor, incorporating varied beliefs can be difficult.

"With such a broad working definition of feminism, we come into a conflict," O'Connor said. "We want to be inclusive of everyone who wants to identity with feminism and even sometimes those who don't yet. Many of us don't agree on everything, but we have to have a shared concept of our goals and ideals in order to affect any level of social change."