Trinity Youth, Carleigh Templin, and her fellow cadette, Julia Witecki, are hoping to make menstrual health a little less awful.
The pair of Girl Scout Cadettes are hosting the upcoming Bleedership Conference at Trinity Presbyterian Church on May 28th from 10 AM - 3 PM. Their mission: "To make periods better for everyone here and around the world by talking openly and honestly about menstrual health."
Does reading about a conference on menstruation make you cringe? That is the stigma and shame they are combating. "It's hard to talk about in our society," Julia explained. "But if you've got a problem, you should tell someone. Women are strong, and shouldn't be afraid to talk about a natural body function."
The self-described "Masterminds" were inspired to host the Bleedership Conference when they noticed their friends acting ashamed whenever menstrual periods were mentioned. The pair have met every Thursday since November to make this event come alive. With the support of their parents and troop leader, they've planned t-shirts, organized speakers, recruited a team of volunteers, and hosted a Bloody Mary Fundraiser.
"It's ongoing and stressful," they explained with a laugh. But it's clear the two believe the work is worth the outcome.
The conference will feature an assortment of seminars on topics such as period nutrition, personal safety, and "Is that NORMAL? A Q&A Session about Menstruation and Puberty." A complete schedule is available on their website, bleedersareleaders.com. Participants are welcome to attend the full event, or drop in for the seminars that most intrigue them.
In addition to the seminars, a team of volunteers will spend the day sewing reusable pads in the Fellowship Hall. These pads (and proceeds from the suggested $5 donation) will be distributed by an international organization intending to put reusable pads and a sanitary kit in the hands of every girl who doesn't have these supplies by 2022. You are invited to bring cotton and flannel for reusable sanitary pads and storage bags, and unopened packages of tamps and sanitary pads to be distributed locally.
Carleigh, Julia, and their team invite all girls and women to join them on Saturday, May 28th, from 10 AM - 3 PM at Trinity Presbyterian Church, to learn how to make periods better for yourself and others.