Kiran Gandhi, a 26-year-old Harvard graduate, ran the London Marathon in April. While this doesn't seem like a big deal, she woke up that morning and decided to do something that other women haven't dared to do. Kiran had been training for months for the marathon, but she wasn't prepared for one thing. She woke up the morning of the race and realized she had started her period. When Kiran realized this, she decided that she would run the marathon without a tampon, because she hadn't ever run that far with a tampon in before, and decided that it would be a good time to take a stand against period shaming, and display the fact that many women are embarrassed to be on their period. Kiran said she "made the decision to do it because it shouldn't matter what other people think of how she looks while on the marathon course". Kiran's decision has sparked a global discussion about periods and even women's bodies in general. Kiran hopes that this will help launch further discussion about both this issue and other women's issues, and is interested in being a part of talking about other similar issues and learning from those who actually work in the field. The reactions were mixed, and many people were disgusted by her decision, but I think Kiran took a step in the right direction for women's issues. Here's an open letter to the lady who ran without a tampon.
First of all, thank you! Thank you for not being afraid to stand for what you believe in. Thank you for being a woman for a cause. And thank you for picking a cause that affects each and every one of us females.
How many times have you had to secretly hand off a tampon or pad to a friend in a public place? Why is this a private thing? Every single woman has or has had a period in their lifetime and all men know what it is, so why are we still acting like it is a secret thing each woman endures each and every month.
Periods are natural and part of being a woman. If I have to hide what makes me a woman then I might as well stop wearing makeup and cut all my hair off. Let us be who we are and let us be strong women who are not ashamed of the “gross” things we endure while being a female.
Kiran has a message for any critics who may hate on her choice to free-bleed: “I don’t care if people want to make fun of me. I felt good doing it, it’s my life, and it’s my story.”
So thank you Kiran Gandhi for being another woman among the long list I already have of inspiring women for me to look up to and for making me feel even more comfortable in my own body.
