Leigh is a 10-year-old girl who has always been curious about the changes happening in her body. One day, while at school, she felt a strange sensation in her abdomen. At first, she brushed it off as nothing, but the feeling persisted throughout the day. When she got home from school, she told her mother about the sensation, and her mother smiled and said, "Looks like you've started your period, Leigh."
Leigh was both excited and nervous at the news. She knew that getting her period was a big milestone, but she also had a lot of questions. Her mother took the time to explain everything to her, from how to use pads to the importance of good menstrual hygiene.
Leigh's mother explained that during menstruation, the body sheds the lining of the uterus, which comes out of the body through the vagina. This process occurs approximately once a month and lasts anywhere from 3-7 days. Her mother also explained that wearing pads was important to prevent the staining of clothes and to help keep the vaginal area clean.
Leigh was fascinated by this newfound knowledge and felt empowered by the idea of taking care of her body. She went to the store with her mother to pick out pads, and her mother showed her the different types of pads available. Leigh chose the one that felt most comfortable for her and felt proud of her decision.
As Leigh continued to navigate her period, she became more and more interested in menstrual hygiene and the importance of education around the topic. She began to research online and learned about the menstrual equity movement, which aims to provide access to menstrual products and education to everyone, regardless of their financial situation.
Leigh felt inspired to make a difference in her community and decided to start a SisterFriend Club at her school. The club's mission was to help make other girls feel comfortable with everything related to menstruation. They organized a product drive to collect menstrual products for those who couldn't afford them and worked to raise awareness about menstrual hygiene and the importance of access to menstrual products.
Through her journey, Leigh learned that getting her period was not just a physical milestone, but also an emotional one. She learned that menstrual hygiene was an essential aspect of self-care and that every girl deserved access to menstrual products and education. She felt proud of her journey and excited to continue her work with the SisterFriend Club.
*Leigh is a fictional character, not based on an actual person.
