Meet Our Featured Authors: Voices for Period Dignity
- Emily Thabes
- 5 days ago
- 3 min read
Updated: 4 days ago
One of the highlights of Menstruation Health Week will be virtual author talks with three incredible women who are changing how we think about periods. Each brings a unique perspective to the conversation about menstrual health, dignity, and equity.
Thanks to the generous support of the Friends of the Carnegie Library, 50 copies of each book are available NOW at no charge to you at both the Beltrami County History Center (130 Minnesota Ave SW) and the Bemidji Public Library (509 America Ave NW) starting now! These books are flying off the shelves, so grab yours today.
Lily Williams - "Go With the Flow"
Lily Williams has revolutionized period education for young people with her graphic novel "Go With the Flow." Using comics to tackle periods, Williams makes menstruation accessible, honest, and relatable for teens and tweens.
With vibrant illustrations and real-world scenarios, "Go With the Flow" follows four friends navigating high school while dealing with the realities of periods. Williams addresses everything from period poverty to the first time using a tampon, creating a book that young people actually want to read.
Williams will discuss how visual storytelling can break down period stigma and why it's crucial to give young people accurate, shame-free information about their bodies.
Why read it? If you're a parent, educator, or young person yourself, this book provides a refreshing, honest approach to period education. Williams makes complex topics simple without being condescending.
Abigail Norman - "Ask Me About My Uterus"
Abigail Norman's memoir is a powerful indictment of how the medical system fails people with periods. Norman shares her decade-long struggle to get a diagnosis for endometriosis – a condition affecting 1 in 10 people with periods that takes an average of 7-12 years to diagnose.
"Ask Me About My Uterus" isn't just a personal story – it's a call to action. Norman exposes how gender bias in medicine leads to misdiagnosis, dismissal of women's pain, and inadequate research into menstrual disorders.
Her talk will focus on advocating for yourself in healthcare settings and the systemic changes needed to ensure everyone receives proper menstrual health care.
Why read it? This book is essential for anyone who has felt dismissed by a doctor or struggled to get proper care for period-related health issues. Norman's story validates experiences that too many people have suffered through alone.
Anita Diamant - "Period. End of Sentence"
While Anita Diamant has authored many beloved books including "The Red Tent," her latest work "Period. End of Sentence" takes a global perspective on menstruation. Inspired by the Academy Award-winning documentary of the same name, Diamant explores how period poverty and stigma affect people worldwide.
From Indian women creating biodegradable pads to American students advocating for free products in schools, Diamant documents the worldwide movement for menstrual equity. She shows how periods connect to larger issues of gender equality, education, and economic empowerment.
Why read it? Diamant's book helps us understand that period dignity isn't just a local issue – it's a global human rights concern that requires collective action.
Free Books Available Now!
Remember, you can pick up your free copies of all three books at:
Beltrami County History Center (130 Minnesota Ave SW)
Bemidji Public Library (509 America Ave NW)
Pro tip: Grab your copies early and read before the author talks. Engaging with the authors about specific themes and passages will make each presentation even more meaningful.
Looking Ahead
These authors represent different approaches to the same goal: creating a world where periods are met with dignity, not shame. Williams reaches young people, Norman fights for better healthcare, and Diamant takes a global view – together, they're changing the conversation.
Don't miss these powerful voices during Menstruation Health Week. Each author's talk will be available both in person and via Zoom, but they will NOT be recorded. Register now at beltramihistory.org/period.
A Personal Note
As we prepare for these conversations, remember that behind every statistic about period poverty, behind every delayed diagnosis, behind every student who misses school because of their period, is a real person whose life could be improved by our actions. These authors don't just write about periods – they're working to create change.
Join us, read their books, attend their talks, and help us create a community where everyone can menstruate with dignity.
Ready to be part of the solution? Visit beltramihistory.org/period to register for author talks, donate products, or sign the Period Dignity Pledge. While you're there, check out all our sponsors who make these events possible. Share this post with #MenstruationHealthWeek and tag a friend who needs to hear from these amazing authors.