It's basic knowledge that Girlhood begins when you emerge from the warm confines of your mothers womb and they declare you a girl. Maybe your life was filled with pink dresses and pastels and bows and Barbies.

But our minds go through a change when we reach double digits. When our brain and body develop hormones, called estrogen and send them to different parts of our body. One morning we wake up and notice the dip between our hip and ribs, then we're wearing training sports bras, and the butterfly feeling in our belly when we get our first crush.

The true process of Girlhood begins like this. Because it's something we all experience, waking up in our own blood at age 12 thinking you're dying.

I'm a sixteen year old girl, and while I have only been walking the path of Girlhood for five years, I feel I have learned enough to begin this series. Actually, I think the first time you shove toilet paper in your panties and try and act like everything is normal, you're pretty capable of writing about Girlhood.

My little sister is beginning her walk soon, turning 12 on the 24th of April. This is for her, and all the other girls, and maybe guys too. This is for everyone and anyone.

Girlhood is communal- because we've all made friends by asking someone for a tampon.

Madison Ballou-Shea