New this week: "In Search of Menarche: An Interview with Molly Strange," by Geneva Kachman - Safe Counsel/ or/ Practical Eugenics, by B. G. Jeffries, M.D., Ph.D., J. L. Nichols, A.M., Ozora S. Davis, Ph.D., and Dr. Emma F. A. Drake (39th edition, 1928, J. L. Nichols & Co., Naperville, Illinois, U.S.A.)

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

PREVIOUS NEWS
first page | LIST OF ALL TOPICS | 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 | What did women do about menstruation in the past? | washable pads


OK, before we get to menstruation:

If You Love Cats, Read The Cat - Le Chat - by Colette

In one of this French writer's best stories, Alain loves his cat, Saha, more than the young woman he just married. Camille has only one thing she can do - and so does Alain, and you understand both of them.

It's 150 pages of light, sensual prose from 1933. I just finished it; I saw it mentioned in a review of a new biography of the writer, one of France's best. You may have to get it on interlibrary loan, the way I did.

After five pages I thought, Oh, no - only 145 pages left!

When I was a boy I thought cats were female and dogs, male. Cats still strike me as thoroughly female. Mini, my feral Maine coon cat (missing almost a year and probably dead) was as arrogant a male as I have ever met, but had the finest and longest fur of my cats, beautiful eyes and was as slinky and watchful as any of them. To me, very feminine.

Alain lost a wife but not feminine companionship.

See the MUM cats.


Letters to Your MUM

Read the religion page for more discussion of Islam, Christianity, Judaism and menstruation:

Dear Museum Webmaster,

May I suggest that you get the book "The Natural Blood of Women" by Shaikh Muhammad bin Salih al-Uthaimeen and translated by Dr. Saleh S. as-Saleh, an Islamic text in the English language explaining the fiqh (laws) of menstruation. It is a book of about 65 pages and probably only around $5, comprehensive and believed to be the best in the English language on the subject.

In Islam we see the exclusion from prayer and fasting to be a blessing for women. We are not required to do these things because we frankly don't feel much like doing them [!]. We still make du'a (personal prayer), we can touch a translation of Qur'an, but not an Arabic Qur'an unless we are teaching it (the Qur'an is only a "Qur'an" if in the Arabic language. - all others are "translations of Qur'an")

It is a nice time for women. We are blessed by Allah that we are given a break from these duties [fasting and salat(the five daily prayers)] and since we still keep up with our personal prayers and religious study we do not loose out on anything!

If you are in Washington, D. C. (U.S.A.), there is a shop in Falls Church [a suburb of Washington] called Halalco. They are one of the largest Islamic bookstores in the nation. I suggest you contact them about getting the book. You can also find them on-line at http://www.halalco.com

It would be very beneficial in your study. I would love to write some passages from the book but since it all pertains to this subject I don't know what I'd choose!

Thank you


She says menstruation is a mess and so is the industry

Hi,

I have just discovered the Web site "mum.org" and wish to thank you. I have many concerns about the products that we women are asked to use for our monthly mess.

It seems that these are almost always stored in an aisle in the grocery directly across from the more hazardous products. I mean the soaps, floor waxes, detergents, bug sprays, etc. And these products do put out gas and so why is this feminine "sanitary" product placed there?

Also, I cannot use tampons at all. I have had to use sanitary napkins.

These things have been "improved" to the point that most of those available for consumption are simply a thin sheet of plastic, with a miserly tad of paper imposed over that. Any type of excessive flow and there is no absorption.

Modess actually has a good product out in terms of sanitary napkins - but apparently Modess does not give the stores the money stores demand to display them. I have to special order them from a supplier in St. Louis.

Sometimes I laugh over this whole situation. When you look at how exorbitantly expensive the product is - we really pay a lot for this thin sheet of plastic with a little touch of paper! It would be funny if it were not so A) insulting, B) degrading, C) an obvious ploy to separate the consumer from their money without giving them anything in return (well, I guess we do get things in return - cramps and excessive blood flow from the vapors contaminating the surface of these items, dioxin inside certain products, etc.).

Again, thanks for the Web site


Where was the MUM site?

Many folks - below are two samples - asked the whereabouts of your missing MUM! As you may know, I switched Web hosts and had weeks of trouble getting the MUM.ORG name to point to the new location.

Your link (http://www.mum.org) is taking one to an AT&T Web site, not that of the Museum of Menstruation. My daughter has questions that I thought your site could help answer; hope you're back up soon.


Hey, what happened to MUM? I went to www.mum.org, and all I found was AT&T! Arrgh!

I need my weekly fix, you gotta hook me up!

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 [email protected] 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)



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 [email protected] or write, with your address:

Geneva Kachman [read her "Menstrual Traveling Show" and review of the movie "Terms of Endearment"]

4881 Packard #A2

Ann Arbor, Michigan 48108


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.

The Britannica searcher, below, does not yet work - I'm working on it.

 


New this week: "In Search of Menarche: An Interview with Molly Strange," by Geneva Kachman - Safe Counsel/ or/ Practical Eugenics, by B. G. Jeffries, M.D., Ph.D., J. L. Nichols, A.M., Ozora S. Davis, Ph.D., and Dr. Emma F. A. Drake (39th edition, 1928, J. L. Nichols & Co., Naperville, Illinois, U.S.A.)

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 [email protected]