Breaking the Silence: How an Event in Gulfport is Changing the Conversation Around Menstruation

By Laini Tuboku-Metzger

JA Guest Writer

Menstruation is a natural biological process, but it is not always openly discussed. Without conversations at home or in schools, many young girls may feel unprepared and unsure of what to expect. Let’s Talk Period, an event hosted by the advocacy organization EEECHO in Gulfport, Mississippi, aimed to create a space where people of all ages could learn about reproductive and menstrual health in an open and supportive environment.

Among the nearly 60 attendees, ranging from young girls to elderly women, one woman shared her experience of growing up in a home where menstruation was never discussed. Now in her later years, she recalled the panic she felt when she saw blood for the first time. “I thought I was in trouble,” she said. Her teacher, noticing what had happened, pulled her aside, pinned up her skirt, and told her to go home and tell her mother she had gotten her period.

She had never heard that word before. She didn’t know what it meant. All she knew was that something was happening to her body, and the way her teacher spoke made it sound like something bad. Uncertain of what to do, she stayed silent when she got home.

Without prior conversations or information, she felt confused and ashamed. It took several cycles before she confided in someone and realized that a period wasn’t something to fear, but rather something that many women, including her own mother, were simply uncomfortable talking about.

Beyond personal stories, Let’s Talk Period featured expert-led discussions covering menstrual hygiene, building self-confidence and a healthy body image, period poverty, cramping, and menstrual disorders. Physicians, nurse practitioners, educators, and community advocates provided insight, challenged misconceptions, and encouraged open conversations about reproductive health.

Attendees also received free menstrual products, stain removal kits, and a copy of PERIOD., a new activity book made possible with the support of Dr. Erica Walker, founder of the Community Noise Lab at Brown University School of Public Health, and co-authored by Master of Public Health student Laini Tuboku-Metzger. 

This event was more than just a discussion; it was the beginning of a movement. Let’s Talk Period is breaking the silence that has long fueled disparities in women’s health and paving the way for future generations to approach menstruation with knowledge, confidence, and dignity.

Community Noise Lab’s office in Jackson, Mississippi, has FREE copies of PERIOD., as well as menstrual hygiene packs for any young girl in Mississippi. You can call us at 769-572-7547 or email Dr. Walker at erica_walker@brown.edu to get your book.