In 10 years, V-Day has raised more than $50 million and made advocates, donors and ‘warriors’ of thousands of women in its effort to combat violence against women around the world.

By Margaret Battistelli Gardner

• V-Day is a demand: Rape, incest, battery, genital mutilation and sex slavery must end now.

• V-Day is a spirit: We believe women should spend their lives creating and thriving rather than surviving or recovering from terrible atrocities.

• V-Day is a catalyst: By raising money and consciousness, it will unify and strengthen existing anti-violence efforts. Triggering far-reaching awareness, it will lay the groundwork for new educational, protective and legislative endeavors throughout the world.

• V-Day is a process: We will work as long as it takes. We will not stop until the violence stops.

• V-Day is a day. We proclaim Valentine’s Day as V-Day, to celebrate women and end the violence.

• V-Day is a fierce, wild, and unstoppable movement and community.