The play was first performed on 21 January 2008 at the 92nd Street Y in New York, directed by Evan Yionoulis. The writers met in February 2007 to read the monologues together, and then worked them into a unified script during a Residency Fellowship retreat at Bard College. Seven women collaborated to write the play: Įach playwright worked with one of the women whose stories make up the play over a series of interviews in 2006–2007, and wrote a dramatic monologue based on these. Mu Sochua, Cambodia, former Minister of Women's Affairs and campaigner against sex-trafficking winner of 2005 Global Leadership Award for Human Rights.Marina Pisklakova-Parker, Russia, founder of first Russian hot-line for victims of domestic violence winner of 2004 Global Leadership Award for Human Rights.Inez McCormack, Northern Ireland, former president of the Irish Congress of Trade Unions winner of 2002 Global Leadership Award for Political Participation.Mukhtar Mai, Pakistan, survivor of a gang rape and campaigner for women's education winner of 2006 Global Leadership Awards Fern Holland Award.Annabella De Leon, Guatemala, congresswoman and campaigner against corruption and for the rights of the poor winner of 2003 Global Leadership Award for Political Participation.Farida Azizi, Afghanistan, campaigner for women's rights and peace in her country.Hafsat Abiola, Nigeria, who founded the Kudirat Initiative for Democracy and works to improve relations between Chinese and African women winner of 2016 Global Leadership Award for Leadership in Public Life.

The women whose stories form the basis of Seven are all involved in the Vital Voices Global Partnership. Seven is a documentary play, first performed in 2008, written by seven women playwrights based on interviews with seven women around the world who have fought for the rights and well-being of women and girls.

Seven Plays by Sam Shepard