NatWest Bring it 2020 has provided £500 of match funding
I FLOW - An illustrated guide to the menarche
Bristol, England, United Kingdom
Aim
Help create an Illustrated book providing an inclusive, accessible, empowering and educational insight into a girl's first menstrual period
My name is Erin Macairt and I have worked as a freelance artist for over ten years. Throughout this time my work has developed into different fields and currently I find myself focused on using my art as a tool to help assist people to connect with themselves and with nature and the land we are all a part of.
- 'I Flow' will be an illustrated colour guide book for girls aged 8 - 14 years.
- I am passionate about helping to empower young girls on their journey to womanhood. This illustrated book will give them the information and a heads up on what they need to know.
- Illustrations and text created by me, Erin Macairt
- Areas of ground covered: Nutrition, Hormones, the science with scientific diagrams, holistic health and wellbeing, endometriosis info, international and cultural celebrations and rites of passage, getting to know your body, relationships, tips and 'mothers' knowledge, menstrual products available, how to track your cycle, birth control and fertility, Period health and discharge, What to do if your period never arrives, and with a pattern to make your own menstrual pads.
- Sensitivity to dated language, replacing terms such as 'feminine hygiene' etc.
- Providing information to avoid misunderstandings, anxiety.
- The main aim of 'I Flow' is to empower and educate girls to become women in charge of their own bodies, with a full understanding of their menstrual cycle
My vision to create I FLOW came about through my personal experience of my menarche and my menstrual cycle and talking to women and girls about their experiences. I felt that lack of information was common and personally it has taken me years into my adult life to really understand periods and my cycle. I believe that periods are not meant to be painful, and most certainly not something to be ashamed or embarrassed about. I knew there was something missing and something I could create that would assist with this time in a girls life. My book aims to help all girls and in particular those that do not have a support system.
It began when i created my first moon calendar 6 years ago and discovered how closely linked our bodies are to the cycles of the moon and i'm now working on the 7th edition. Looking for books on the market I discovered that my vision to create an inclusive, mainstream, concise yet holistic and spiritual guide for young women and girls was needed to help guide them through their first Rite of Passage, the menarche. I also see that 'I Flow' could be a useful reference book for boys too. Wouldn't it be great to have the information (from the science of menstruation , to practical tips, advice) available in a beautiful illustrated book that could be available and recommended in schools, bought by girls and mothers and even be a source for boys to understand? Wouldn't it be great to be able to offer this free to those who are unable to afford it and reach people who do not have a support system to guide them through this time of their life?
The money raised through Crowdfunder would be used to pay for my studio where I will be moving to in April to begin an Art Residency to complete this project, materials, including a scanner to scan my illustrations and the digital layout and publishing of the book. Depending on how much is raised your pledge will also provide a certain amount of free books to distribute in health centres and schools. With your support this much needed book can become a reality. Be part of the project and feel proud you helped make it happen.
Thank you for taking the time to read this and please share with anyone who'd be interested in funding a project to promote the empowerment of young women through healthy, positive periods from the start.
On top of the Crowdfunder I have entered the Bring it 2020 campaign which is backed by NatWest, ‘BACK HER BUSINESS’, to promote women in business. They’ll pledge my first £50 and then I need 10 or more supporters to take my total up to £550, if I reach this, NatWest will meet this pledge. There's also the chance to win £10,000 based on how much I've raised which would take this book to another level.
Thank you for your support!
This project successfully funded on 5th April 2020