A small auditorium packed to the brim with women all staring at a large poster of a vulva and entranced by a woman who is explaining all of the unsaid wonders of what lies between the legs of over half the world’s population. This was a few Fridays ago at Scripps: two hours of Ashley Manta, a sex educator from Pleasure Chest (a major sex toy company) spreading her wisdom of all things related to the vagina.

As I watched her explanations with my jaw to the floor, I would sneak a peek at the other audience members who showed a similar level of shock. I was low-key embarrassed at how in shock I was. Nevertheless, this woman was single-handedly enlightening an entire room of people effortlessly with her knowledge of vulvas. As I began to think more in-depth about Ashley’s occupation, I was fascinated at the significant stamp she will leave on the audience who listen to her. She acts as a prophet to identifying women everywhere- covering the all of the forever questioned thoughts regarding periods, orgasms, hygiene, masturbation, STIs, contraception, and every little thing in between.

What was unspoken before, was unleashed thanks to Ashley and her ability to speak openly and honestly. I have looked her up and found her website, which is a portal to all the good she does. She writes blogs, books, articles, and even has a podcast regarding sex education awareness. Along with broadening my knowledge of sex education, Ashley gives a new spin to career planning. In college she majored in Philosophy and minored in Women Studies. Although these subjects definitely have relevance in Sex Education, it is refreshing to know that she did not feel woven down into her college majors. Her irregular and miscellaneous career is meaningful and makes a difference in our cultural epidemic of ignorant vulvas.