GladRags Gab

Name: Tracy P.

Hometown: Portland, Oregon

Age: 22

Profession: Vocational support staff for adults with developmental disabilities

Interests: Knitting, spinning, music, bicycle rides, friends, coffee, animals, reading, etc

Dreams: In first grade, my teacher had my class all create pictures of ourselves performing our dream jobs. I drew myself in overalls, boots, and a floppy hat standing at an easel and painting a portrait of a nearby pig. It was captioned “Farmer/Artist.” I think I’m still pretty into that.

Number of years/months using (appreciating) menstrual alternatives: About a year and a half using alternative menstrual products. Much more than that wondering about/appreciating them.

Reason for switching to alternatives: It makes so much more sense! Better for the environment, better for my body, better for my bank account.

Favorite thing about alternatives: Reusable menstrual products required me to get to know my body in a way that disposables can’t. I’ve gained a greater appreciation of my menstrual cycle since using GladRags and the moon cup.

Funny anecdotes?: Never chop up a big pile of jalapenos with your bare hands. Especially if you’re going to have to empty your moon cup any time in the next 24 hours.

When possible, the GladRags team loves to make donations. Jessica Morell contacted us because she uses our book, Passage, as part of the curriculum in her work as a sexuality educator. In this case, we were able to donate quite a few copies of Passage. We’re very pleased to hear that GladRags plays a positive role in such important work. Thanks for the kind words, Jessica!

“Thank you to GladRags for the excellent design of an ancient technology! As an early self-awareness/sexuality educator it is wonderful to be able to share with young women a safe, eco-friendly and cute-as-a-button option. The middle school girls love the fun colors and environmentally safe design. I appreciate having such a sane choice to share with them as they learn all about the magical mysteries of their cycle.” - Jessica Morell, MiT the RISE workshop Reproductive Information/Scientific Education

Hey Everyone, Elizabeth here, GladRags’ elusive third team member.  I’ve been elusive because I’ve spent the past two months out of the office traveling through 28 states via bus, train, bike, car and plane. The primary impetus behind this adventure was an 1800-mile bike ride from New Orleans to New York City called Wanderlust . Wanderlust is a story collective and bicycle caravan. We pedaled 40 to 60 miles a day for about six weeks; listening to stories and observing how communities in the south and northeast are working to expand access to reproductive health care, defend reproductive rights, and promote reproductive justice.  The trip was motivated by the belief that sharing stories is a powerful way to create awareness and foster social change.

Needless to say, it was a life-changing experience in just about every possible way.  I got to connect with activists from all over the country and see what the movement for progressive change looks like on the ground in those places.  More than anything, I think Wanderlust was a fabulous opportunity for me to practice wholly embracing adventure when it comes my way.  Traveling with 11 other women by bicycle, you learn quickly to expect the unexpected; there was always a flat tire to be fixed or a dramatic change in weather to send us scrambling to protect the bikes and gear. For a person who usually relishes routine, it was exciting to learn that I can happily cope with and even meet unexpected challenges with gusto.

I am so grateful to have had the opportunity to participate in a trip like Wanderlust. I seriously recommend that y'all out there seize the opportunity to do something that maybe other people think is crazy, but you believe in passionately, you won't regret it. 

I just wanted to say that I love Gladrags. I rotate between the pads, the sponge and the diva cup, all of which I think are great. I've been saving my blood for fertilizer for my plants, and I've never had a more beautiful garden! It's really nice to take from my body, give back to the earth, and nourish her, so that she can nourish me and my family. Three cheers to GladRags for making such great products available!

- Brittiney