New this week: Modess "Sanitary Shield" (1972) - SheShells underpants (1970s) - humor

What did European and American women use for menstruation in the past?

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Celebrate the First Annual Menstrual Monday! See below.
Letters to Your MUM

I mentioned this tampon dispenser in these news pages last September

Dear Museum of Menstruation!

My name is Maria Kreutz and I am a designer who lives in Sweden.

Recently I read an article about you in a Swedish magazine which also discussed a tampon container that I invented. It is a tampon container that you put on the wall in the bathroom just as naturally as you have a container for toilet paper, cotton pads, Kleenex, etc. The tampon container has become quite popular and lots of newspapers have written about it here in Sweden. I would like to send you one as a gift for you to have in your menstruation museum. [Great!]

I think it is about time for tampons to have their own place in the bathroom, i.e., not hidden.


Is menstruation bad?

There's an article about menstruation being bad for women's health in the Guardian [a newspaper in the United Kingdom] today. Basically the same thing as the New Yorker magazine article [see last week's news], I expect. [It seems to be based on a The Lancet - the distinguished British medical journal - article. It's interesting the New Yorker article appeared at the same time.] The article is on-line here [The link may be DEAD by the time you click; newspapers sometimes have to make room on their servers for new articles]:

http://www.newsunlimited.co.uk/health/story/0,3605,146500,00.html

Anna Simpson [an English molecular biologist who has submitted much interesting information to these pages, including this news.]


Are tampons expensive? Can someone tell her and us why?

Hi, Mr. Finley,

I am a freelance writer and I'm doing some research on a story I'd like to pitch to a magazine. I would like to find out more about WHY tampons, pads, and other feminine products (i.e. yeast infection creams and pregnancy tests) are sooo expensive!

If you've ever looked at the prices, you'll see that they are pretty high.

Is there anyone who you would recommend me calling to find out more about this? I have tried calling the Tampax consumer line but there are not very helpful. [I have helped her a little; can anyone else help her?]

I mean, is there any reason WHY these products are offered at such a premium? Do the materials used cost a lot? Or is it the production?

Perhaps you can help steer me in the right direction.

I appreciate your help; thanks in advance,

Best,

Liz Krieger

e-mail: lizkrieger@hotmail.com

The angel-of-menopause doll

Will you please consider my link, Menopause Angel, for your site? [Sure!] The Menopause Angel [doll] pattern is designed especially for menopausal women. The angel has helpful charms and accessories that are explained in the card/poem which is included in the pattern. Easy!

Thank you,

Lori Rhoads

http://hometown.aol.com/menopauseangel/FrameSet1.html


Who can help her with folklore about menstruation?

Hi there!

I recently found your site, and have really been enjoying it!

I am currently doing a project on folklore and menstruation. I am trying to find examples of folklore regarding menstruation, either directly or metaphorically. I was wondering if you might know any folk tales, myths, or legends, or if you might be able to point me towards some helpful resources.

Thanks for your time!!

Kyla [click to send her information]


Purrfect cat fun from a buddy

What does a cat wear to bed? Purrjamas.

If your cat constantly roams through the neighborhood at all hours of the day, how do you describe him? Purripetetic.


Celebrate the First Annual Menstrual Monday!

When: The Monday before Mother's Day, because menstruation comes before motherhood (and usually long after it, too). This year's Menstrual Monday falls on May 8, 2000. If you live in a country that doesn't celebrate Mother's Day as in the United States, pick a day that seems appropriate and convenient for a "Menstrual Monday"!

Where: In your backyard at sunrise; in the cafeteria at lunch; after work; at your friend's house; in the classroom; in your dorm room - wherever is convenient and appropriate!

Why: To create a sense of happiness and fun around menstruation; to encourage women to be proactive in addressing menstrual and reproduction-related health issues; to encourage greater visibility of menstruation culturally, in film, print, music, and other media; and to enhance honesty about menstruation in our relationships.

How: Wear a red article of clothing, put a red tablecloth on the table at dinner; talk to an older or younger relative about her menstrual experiences; create some art or do some writing about menstruation, and share with friends; share information about PMS, endometriosis, or self-breast examinations; create a ritual involving red candles and red tulips. In short: Whatever seems convenient and appropriate to you!

Free Starter Kit!

Please feel free to download the above text to make flyers or post on your own website, to email a friend, and so on. For more information, or to receive a FREE Menstrual Monday "starter kit" - please e-mail menstrullenium@aol.com or write, with your address:

Geneva Kachman [read her "Menstrual Traveling Show," "In Search of Menarche: An Interview with Molly Strange," and review of the movie "Terms of Endearment."]

4881 Packard #A2

Ann Arbor, Michigan 48108


Anti-Tampon Conference

A friend e-mailed me this announcement:

While there are many things you could do on April 1st and 2nd, do them in Harrisonburg, Virginia (U.S.A.)! (More information at the bottom of this news item). Here is what you should do: come to the ANTI-TAMPON conference. It is also known as the Mid-Atlantic Feminist Conference, and some like to call it the LetBloodFlow Fest, but don't get scared off by the name before you read the description.

This conference is a feminist conference which will focus on activism, radical change, and womyn's empowerment. It is being held in order to make the anti-tampon campaign more cohesive and powerful. It will make everyone more powerful with education, inspiration, workshops and networking.

During this conference:

*Inga Muscio, author of the amazing book, Cunt, will make a presentation and will give workshops. To find out more about her go to http://www.kalikunti.com/

"Cunt does for feminism what smoothies did for high fiber diets - it reinvents the oft-indigestible into something sweet and delicious." - bust magazine

*The Blood Sisters, menstrual activists and creators of Urban Armour and the zine Red Zone from Montreal will do presentations, and a workshop or two. check out their website http://www.pirg.ca/~bloodsisters/

*Lynn Lough, the owner of the beautiful goddess-centered shop On My Wings, and creator of "Goddess Girls . . . an alternative to scouting," will give workshops on goddesses and spirituality

*The Queens of Periodia will do workshops on making menstrual pads and decorating yourself with a message (tampon crown making)

*Sue Spivey, amazing feminist teacher and professor of sociology, will do a workshop exploring the way healthcare has gone from midwifery to the present medical industry and another workshop on an overview of radical feminism (the past)

*A double workshop on men in feminism given by Rus Funk, the author of "Stopping Rape: a challenge for men." The workshop will examine how patriarchy has affected men and how it hurts womyn and then will go on to things that can be done to change those patterns. it will explore men's role in feminism and ways to actively fight sexism.

*We will discuss the campaign and where it is going, brainstorm new actions, collaborate with plans, provide and share materials, pamphlets, resources etc

*We will help plan and prepare for the direct action that will occur at a tampon plant in late April

*We will show Born In Flames, an awesome video about womyn becoming revolutionaries (they take over NBC aw, yeah!)

*We will have a cunt-coloring contest

*Yoga yoga

*******************************************************

We are still working on confirming the following workshops:

*Menstrual extraction given by herbalist Sister Zeus, who's expertise lies in this area *Zine-making given by Mike Schade who has a really cool activist-and-hardcore-oriented zine called hodgepodge *Herbal solutions/help for "PMS" also given by Sister Zeus *A film/presentation by the Lesbian Avengers *Radical cheerleading *Art action *Chip mills, rayon and how by using tampons you are supporting forest devastation *Pelvic self-examinations *Self-defense *Abortifacients, reproductive choices and rights *Animal rights and feminism *Womyn and globalization *Direct action *Nonviolence training *A sex-positive workshop *Deep ecology/ eco-feminism *Forced sterilization and how racism plays out in birth control, given by Dr. Nikitah Imani

As we get confirmations and new additions they will go up on our soon to be up Web site. I will send out the address when it's done. We are still taking proposals for workshops, especially if you can do one of the above topics. proposals/questions should be directed at jmuequal@yahoo.com or 540-438-1369 (Kristin).

Where is it? Harrisonburg, Va., which is 2 hours southwest of Washington, D.C.

When is it? April 1st and 2nd (registration and party, March 31st)

What else? Housing will be provided, vegan breakfast and lunch will be provided, a bike library will be provided, there will be a musical performance (possibly by bitchandanimal and/or thea - they both rawk!) and possibly massage therapy/energy work will be available

How much? As of right now looks like $10 registration fee and maybe a few more for food . . . if you cannot afford this price we still want you to come so we will work some thing out, just let us know!

*******************************************************

For info about the anti-tampon campaign and the related issues go to the blood sisters address given above and www.seac.org/tampons

******************************************************

To support the campaign and the conference you can buy silkscreened patches for donations of a dollar and up by sending SASE and moola - money - to Equal, James Madison University, P.O. Box 8166, Harrisonburg VA 22801

Choose either "FUCKATAMPON," "ANTI-TAMPON ask me why," or "SEX+" (for a sex positive world)

*******************************************************

Registration Form: Please copy this form and send it with your money to us at James Madison University, P.O. Box 8166, Harrisonburg VA 22801 or email it back

Name:__________________________________________________

Organization:__________________________________________

Address:_____________________________________________________________________________

Email Address:___________________________

Phone Number:____________________________

Do you need housing? ____Fri ____Sat

Do you need meals? ____Sat. Breakfast ____Sat. Lunch____Sun. Breakfast

Do you need child care? ___________

Would you/your organization like to purchase a literature table? __________ ($20)

Conference Costs: $8 Pre-Registration til March 2nd

Total $$$ Amount included:__________________ (or you may pay at the registration table)


Is this the new millennium or even century?

You can get the correct information if you go to these pages published by the U S Naval Observatory:

http://psyche.usno.navy.mil/millennium/whenIs.html (that`s a capital "i" in

"whenIs")

http://aa.usno.navy.mil/AA/faq/docs/millennium.html

A comprehensive site from the Royal Observatory, Greenwich will put right any doubts:

http://www.rog.nmm.ac.uk/leaflets/new_mill.html


Tell Your Congressperson You Support the Tampon Safety and Research Act of 1999! Here's How and Why


Help Wanted: This Museum Needs a Public Official For Its Board of Directors

Your MUM is doing the paper work necessary to become eligible to receive support from foundations as a 501(c)3 nonprofit corporation. To achieve this status, it helps to have a American public official - an elected or appointed official of the government, federal, state or local - on its board of directors.

What public official out there will support a museum for the worldwide culture of women's health and menstruation?

Read about my ideas for the museum. What are yours?

Eventually I would also like to entice people experienced in the law, finances and fund raising to the board.

Any suggestions?


Do You Have Irregular Menses?

If so, you may have polycystic ovary syndrome [and here's a support association for it].

Jane Newman, Clinical Research Coordinator at Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard University School of Medicine, asked me to tell you that

Irregular menses identify women at high risk for polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), which exists in 6-10% of women of reproductive age. PCOS is a major cause of infertility and is linked to diabetes.

Learn more about current research on PCOS at Brigham and Women's Hospital, the University of Pennsylvania and Pennsylvania State University - or contact Jane Newman.

If you have fewer than six periods a year, you may be eligible to participate in the study!

See more medical and scientific information about menstruation.


New this week: Modess "Sanitary Shield" (1972) - SheShells underpants (1970s) - humor

What did European and American women use for menstruation in the past?

PREVIOUS NEWS
first page | contact the museum | art of menstruation | artists (non-menstrual) | belts | bidets | Bly, Nellie | MUM board | books (and reviews) | cats | company booklets directory | costumes | cups | cup usage | dispensers | douches, pain, sprays | essay directory | extraction | famous people | FAQ | humor | huts | links | media | miscellaneous | museum future | Norwegian menstruation exhibit | odor | pad directory | patent medicine | poetry directory | products, current | religion | menstrual products safety | science | shame | sponges | synchrony | tampon directory | early tampons | teen ads directory | tour (video) | underpants directory | videos, films directory | washable pads | LIST OF ALL TOPICS

© 2000 Harry Finley. It is illegal to reproduce or distribute work on this Web site in any manner or medium without written permission of the author. Please report suspected violations to hfinley@mum.org