SMCR was founded as a non-profit organization in 1979 by a group of woman who were passionate about highlighting the menstrual cycle in research, education and public discussion. Today the society has expanded to include academics, artists, writers, activists and educators.

Diva International had the honor of co-sponsoring the Making Menstruation Matter award presentation for Feminist pioneer, Gloria Steinem which honored her efforts in drawing awareness to women’s health and her 1978 piece, “If Men Could Menstruate”.

The conference was rich in menstrual health knowledge. Every presenter was passionate about their research. Topics ranged from inclusion of menstrual health in public education, reproductive aging, organocholrine in tampons, pros and cons of contraceptives, period talk within the family and the presence of menstrual culture within social media… to name a few. In between presentations, through the hallways and in the hotel lobby, there was much discussion and brainstorming on how we can all work together to “Make Menstruation Matter”! Attendees also got to enjoy and participate in the first ever menstrual poetry slam titled, Red Moon Howl!

SMCR 2013 Attendees

We got to hear firsthand about the projects organizations like Wash United, Water Aid and Sustainable Health Enterprises are developing. Organizations like these are helping to bring access to clean water and feminine hygiene products for women in developing nations. We also had the opportunity to learn about Menstrual Hygiene Day, a day dedicated to drawing awareness to access and support in the area of feminine hygiene and international development. We hope that all our Diva fans will join us in the months leading up to May 28th, 2014 to spread the word about the need for every woman and girl to have access to period care.

As we reflect on the conference we wanted to share some of the ways The DivaCup is helping to Make Menstruation Matter!

• We distribute demo DivaCups to health educators and doctors along with resources about sustainable menstrual care.
• We continue to promote positive period talk with our educational partners Be Prepared Period, Sexpressions and You Are Loved.
• We donate product and resources to community organizations and events to assist with raising funds for women’s health and the environment.
• Every day, we provide information about healthy menstruation, women’s health and positive period care through our social media channels and website.
• We promote healthy menstruation and cycle awareness for women of all ages through our partnership with charting organizations like PinkPad, MyMonthlyCycles and Feby Empowerment.
• Above all, our team works hard to ensure that our products, The DivaCup and DivaWash are readily available so that women and girls around the world can learn and have access to sustainable menstrual care.

Learn more about the Society for Menstrual Cycle Research by visiting their website, liking their Facebook page or by following them on Twitter. You can also follow their blog re-Cycling which features weekly insights on reproductive health and guest posts by scholars, activists, artists and health educators.

Share with the Diva Community what you are doing to “Make Menstruation Matter” today!

Biking across the US has been a dream of mine since high school. When a teacher I had brought in a photo album of him and his friend biking from Virginia to California I was hooked. I had driven and taken the train across the US before, but I realized that I had missed all the places in between, which really makes the trip worthwhile.

Five years later, a college friend was talking about an organization called Bike & Build that raises funds and awareness for affordable housing through cross-country bike trips. After hearing this, I knew my dream was about to come true. Biking across the country would be wonderful, but being able to experience and, even better, contribute something to the communities along the way would be taking that dream to a whole other level.

Bike & Build is a non-profit organization which has raised over $4 million for affordable housing in the 10 seasons of its existence. Each summer, eight different groups take off across the country. Each of the eight routes (my route is from Providence, RI to San Francisco, CA) accepts about 30 young adult cyclists who must each raise $4,500 and volunteer beforehand (for at least 10 hours) at a local affordable housing organization (I’ve been helping out at a Habitat for Humanity site).

In the beginning of June, each group will head off on their separate routes. We will ride between 40 – 120 miles each day. At each town, we will give a presentation about some aspect of affordable housing, and sometimes we will hold bike safety activities for the kids. For eight (non-consecutive) days of the ten weeks it will take to bike across the US, the groups will put aside their bikes and help build at an affordable housing site.

What constitutes as affordable housing?

Affordable housing is defined by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development as shelter that costs no more than 30 % of a household’s income, which is almost impossible to find in many places in the US. Some people think renting, instead of buying a house will fix this problem, but the amount of renters spending more than 30% of their household income on rent rose to 53% in 2010, up 3% from the number in 2008. In fact, a family with one full-time worker earning minimum wage cannot afford a two bedroom apartment at the local fair-market rent anywhere in the United States. Many people are faced with a difficult decision: do they use more of their income on housing and end up with less to spend on necessities like food, or do they settle for housing that is comparatively cheaper but is old, filthy, and falling apart?

If we put more effort into our affordable housing organizations we can make sure no one will have to make this decision again.

You may be wondering, what does biking across the country for affordable housing have to do with The DivaCup?

Everything!

Biking for at least 5 hours a day for 10 weeks is hard on your perineum in the best of times, but during your period it can be incredible difficult. The guides Bike & Build sent us often mentions how very important it is to find a bike seat you are comfortable with.

Yet, somehow, they failed to mention what to during that “time of the month”.

I’ve always been a very active person and when I first started my period I only used pads. I would often sit out during pool days in gym and if I was biking or horseback riding I would often get diaper rash, which no one should have to deal with after you’re beyond the age of 3, maybe 4.

Then after high school when I became a lifeguard for about six months in Australia I figured I had to start using tampons which brought a whole new set of problems. I had to change them frequently, and somehow they always seemed to aggravate my cramps.

Unfortunately, it wasn’t until I stopped lifeguarding and started college that I found out about The DivaCup. After I got the hang of it, all my previous problems were solved. I really couldn’t believe it. Now, it doesn’t matter what activity I’m planning to do next because it’s almost as if my period doesn’t exist.

Knowing all about the wonders of a DivaCup and realizing that many women on my trip would not have one was a distressing thought. I immediately emailed The DivaCup to alert them of our problem and, true to their Canadian stereotype, they were very kind and very happy to help. Thanks to DivaCup, all the riders on my trip have the option of using a DivaCup, that is, the female riders on my trip,and we are all so grateful at the prospect of a comfortable ride all summer long!

For all those interested in contributing to my trip or following my progress and transcontinental journey, you can visit my blog!

Annamaria Viazzo attends Stony Brook University where she is majoring in biology and bio-engineering. In addition to being a dedicated Student Diva, Annamaria has many hobbies: skateboarding, surfing, mountain biking, and rock climbing are just a few of her many “likes”. Annamaria considers herself lucky to have the opportunity to be involved in her school’s intramural clubs; everything from the Equestrian team to their rugby team. If Stony Brook offered a minor in athletics, Annamaria would probably have enough credits for it by now.

Empowering girls and women with a better, eco-friendly and cost-saving period care solution to tampons and pads.

Encouraging girls and women to take an active role in caring for their menstrual cycle through cycle knowledge, menstrual education and charting options.

Equipping girls and women with the knowledge and tools they need to be proud of their bodies, their health and about being a woman.

Diva Education is helping to change the way women (and men) view period care and the menstrual cycle for good!

But we cannot achieve our goals without the support of health professionals and educators.

In the last few months we have been given the opportunity to share The DivaCup with thousands of health professionals and educators from both the United States and Canada. We’ve spoken to teachers, coaches, family physicians, pharmacists, nurse practitioners and many more. Each conversation is filled with questions, excitement and acceptance. Many of the professionals we talk to are hearing about The DivaCup for the first time and are excited to try The DivaCup themselves or introduce it to their students, patients, daughter, sister, colleague or friend.

Although not the most popular subject in school, health class is mandatory and often an uncomfortable experience for both students and teachers. From our experience talking with health professionals “period talk” is one of the most common discussions that take place in these classrooms. Women are curious, concerned or confused about the day-to-day experiences of the menstrual cycle and answers and assurance is what we hope to offer them.

As a leader in the menstrual cup category, we are working to ensure health professionals and educators receive the knowledge, tools and support they need to make “period talk” better for young girls everywhere. We annually donate thousands of demo DivaCups and literature to schools, medical practitioners and organizations committed to improving women’s health across North America and Internationally.

By introducing sustainable period care as an option, young women will be given the opportunity to decide for themselves what product is right for them. By partnering with health educators and cycle charting organizations and integrating these into classrooms settings, young women will be better prepared to care for their periods and overall health. And by assisting professionals with product and curriculum support, teachers will have the opportunity to introduce new and exciting information to the topic of menstrual health, creating a better learning experience overall.

In the coming months we will introduce a number of initiates including, classroom lesson plans, a college/university campus kit and a support portal for health professionals and educators on our website.

Does your school, doctor’s office or local pharmacy know about The DivaCup?

Share this post with them today or pass along our email (info@divacup.com) or Resource Request Order Form and we will ship out a Resource Kit to them today!

Well…first you panic!

Then you’re forced to improvise.

I came face to face with that very situation last summer, when I stepped on the coveted fitness competition stage for the first time in my life.

The week leading up to that day is a blur, but that morning will forever stand out in my mind because it was what led me to come across one of the greatest products I ever have come across as a woman.

With so many things to do that morning, getting my period was the last thing on my mind! Tanning, hair, make-up, suit, shoes, calming my nerves, nutrition and winning were at the top of the priority list for that day.

Add a little bit of positive thinking in the mix and everything was running smoothly, as planned and expected. I was competing alongside my good friend and now co-worker, both of us nervous about stepping on stage in front of a huge crowd.

I never shy away from a challenge and I always face my fears. My mind was going through each step of the process in a calculated manner… don’t trip going up the stairs, walk with confidence on that stage, smile, make eye contact with the crowd, don’t look down, and oh yeah…..breathe. My friend and I were supporting one another and reminding each other that we CAN do this, that we look great and that once we win, (not IF we win), we would celebrate together by going out for a fantastic dinner.

With just one hour to show time, as the MC was getting the crowd ready and my friend and I were standing backstage trying to keep each other calm by commenting on how great our tans looked, the unthinkable happened. I felt it. I KNEW it was it, it was undeniable.

My period had arrived.

If ever there was a “worst time” for it to come, this was that time. Sheer panic hit me. What do I do? I am about to step on stage in a few minutes.

Scrambling for a solution, a fellow competitor jumps to my aid, giving me a tampon. I ran to the washroom and emerged a couple of minutes later to make my way to the stage. All of a sudden, I now have a slew of things to worry about. The tampon was uncomfortable. Was I walking funny? Did anyone in the audience know? Is the string tucked away? What if it’s visible?

What if I ….

Pushing those thoughts out of my mind I got through the walking, the poses and the rest of the competition. As they announced my name and my friend’s as the winners of 2nd and 3rd place respectively we posed for the pictures that would forever freeze amazing moments of triumph in time. I forced a couple of smiles and ran to the bathroom to check on the “situation”.

All I wanted was to put on a pair of black pants to make sure no one knew that my period had arrived.

A couple of weeks later, while going about my business buying my vitamins from a health food store, I glanced over and saw The DivaCup. Catchy name, I think to myself. Intrigued, I pick it up to see what it is and what it does. As I read over the instructions on the box, it hit me.

Where was this godsend of a product the day of my competition?

I HAD to have it. I knew I would compete again and I knew that a product like this would eliminate any worry while on stage.

Well, was I ever right!

Not only did I step on stage (and win) again, and yes my period paid me THE VISIT again, but this time I was ready.

I had used The DivaCup enough times to know that it would not leave anything to chance, that it had me covered. The grueling training that I did leading up to my second competition, and continue to do on my journey to more competitions, was and is a necessity, and has to be done periods or no periods. To this day, I am thankful for coming across amazing products that make my life as a female athlete easier. Anything that allows me to participate in the sport I love with absolutely no worry about my period is a must have in my book. Gone are the ideas and “what ifs” of a mishap at that time of the month. Yes I have endured what I call disaster and mortifying moments taking place at the gym during that time of the month, but not anymore!

Where has this precious lifesaver been all my life?

The DivaCup would have given me so much freedom. Growing up from my first period until I became acquainted with the amazing little cup, I declined, skipped and missed countless events because of my period and no product to keep me 100% happy and worry free. Heck I even planned vacations around it because bikinis and periods just don’t mix unless you have 100% protection against accidents. Talk about having no freedom.

But I claimed freedom the day I bought The DivaCup. Now, I don’t leave town without it! In case my period decides to pay me an unexpected visit – which it’s made a habit of doing – I’m covered! And worry free.

Hello, DivaCup, good bye period worry.

Simone Tronciu

Having dedicated over 15 years to her passion for fitness, wellness and nutrition Simone fearlessly takes on new challenges, always wanting to learn something new. After facing a critical illness that nearly took her life, she devotes time to mentor, motivate, inspire and empower other women to start and maintain a healthy and active lifestyle by incorporating strength training, stress management and personal growth into their daily routine.

That’s right, it was that kind of Girls Night Out!

And it was fabulous.

Habitat for Humanity Wellington Dufferin Guelph (HFHWDF) invited The DivaCup to participate in their annual Girls Night Out, “Pamper me Pink” event and we of course said yes! Over a hundred women came out to the event; each dressed up in pink – pink outfits, pink glitter, pink jewelry, pink feather boas… pink!

The night started off with a Zumba lesson, followed by spa treatments, a fashion show, gift raffles, shopping (for great products like The DivaCup) and of course dancing.

Pink glitter and dancing aside, at the core of the event was the knowledge of knowing that every dollar raised went toward a great cause: building homes for those in need.

HFHWDG’s Women Build is described as an organization that “… is dedicated to empowering women to make positive change in the community while learning valuable trade skills”. Women Build is in its third build and each build helps give a family a safe, comfortable place to live.

1, The women in our community are amazing!

2. Women deserve a Girls Night Out every once and a while.

In addition to supporting a local organization that is helping families in our community at “Pamper Me Pink”, we also had the opportunity to share The DivaCup concept with many women. We also met some incredible women who have helped with the Women Build projects as well as running their own business ventures, organizations and humanitarian events.

As we get excited for the spring and summer seasons and events, let’s also get excited for the many opportunities we have to give back to our community. Whether you join a project similar to Women Build, help out at a shelter or donate resources, your giving will have a lasting impact in the lives of families for years to come.

We’d also like to encourage all of our Divas to plan a Girls Night Out (spa party, dance party, dinner out, etc.) for a friend in need or group of women in their community because all women deserve a night of pink!

Tell a Diva your Girls Night Out idea today!

Now well into my adult life, I thought it was time to investigate the history behind Earth Day.

Up until the late 1960s, the environment was not something people talked about. This changed in 1969 when Rachel Carson released Silent Spring, a book that explores the unique relationship between people and the environment, calling for a chemical free approach to everyday practices.

In 1970, with the environment on the mind, Wisconsin Senator Gaylord Nelson organized a “teach in”, bringing together the public for a series of talks about the environment. The day was a great success and saw people from all walks of life joining together to advocate for a better, healthier future. Twenty years later in 1990, the world celebrated the first International Earth Day and since then legislation has been passed for better waste removal processes, clean air initiatives and species protection programs (to name a few).

If history has taught us anything it is that we really aren’t that different from the eco advocates of the 1970s. Every so often we realize that a certain product or process has detrimental effects on our health and environment and we make great strides to remedy and refashion our lives to live better, and care better for the earth.

And this also holds true for period care!

Whether we like to admit it or not, period care plays a significant role in land and water pollution. Every month hundreds of thousands of disposable pads and tampons are thrown out, and each carries little potential to decompose. We have seen improvements in the chemical makeup, ingredient list and plastics of disposable tampons and pads; however nothing has had a more beneficial impact on our health and the environment than reusable options like The DivaCup.

The DivaCup is a reusable option that is made of healthcare grade silicone which means it is free of chemicals, plastics and dyes; making every cycle waste free!

What is incredible about the early years of Earth Day is how easily eco-friendly practices were adopted. It just made sense to stop spraying chemicals on our plants. It made sense to reuse certain plastics rather than throw them in our landfills. And the same “make sense” mentality holds true for period care.

This Earth Day, make a change that will have a lasting impact on your health, the environment and your bank account, by trying The DivaCup. You can even win a DivaCup in our “Eco Diva Giveaway“! Simply pin what being an Eco Diva means to you with the hash tag #EcoDiva on Pinterest and then head over to our contest entry page for your chance to win!

In addition to greening the way you care for your period, there are many eco changes that can have lasting benefits. Vanessa Farquharson’s (2009) Sleeping Naked is Green offers 366 helpful tips (many of which you may already be practicing) to green your life!

• Using The DivaCup instead of tampons
• Wear clothes twice before washing
• No more bottled water
• Fill kettle with exact amount of water
• Eat food from the pot or pan you cook it in
• Shut down computer at the end of the day
• Running outside only (no treadmill)
• No more gift wrap
• Picking up litter when you see it
• Making all your bills electronic
• Using tote bags, no more plastic bags
• Changing over to natural glass and surface cleaner
• Making sure there’s always at least one “green” element in the gifts you give
• Always asking for no receipt, unless you really need one
• Enforced quiet time (no radio, stereo or other music)
• Adding an eco-friendly tip to my email signature
• Sending out electronic invites rather than paper ones
• Using rechargeable batteries

Don’t forget to share what being an Eco Diva means to you for a chance to win 1 of 3 DivaCup prize packs in our “Eco Diva Giveaway”! Enter today to win!

At the core of these conversations is not really whether a menstruating woman should or should not be on the frontlines or that they are less suited for combat. What is really being discussed is whether the capabilities of women are limited due to menstruation. 

Firefighting Diva, Sue Jones

Today, discussions (and in some cases discrimination) around the menstruating body poses a challenge for women working in what some call a “non-traditional” occupation. Our Military Diva and Firefighting Diva shared about these challenges on our Diva Blog affirming what we already know to be true, the menstrual cycle is still seen as a taboo topic.

Although we’ve come a long way from the misleading menstrual claims of age old medical textbooks, the question needs to be asked: “Why is menstruation still being used as an excuse to prevent women from advancing in their field of choice?”

One answer may be that regardless of how accepting menstrual talk is today, discussion about menstruation is heavily influenced by historical and cultural moments. And when we skim over the history of menstrual talk what we find can be quite discouraging.

• Ancient philosophers warned of the damaging effects of menstrual flow, the dangers of the “wandering womb”; and often cited menstruation as a sign of reproductive failure. (1,2,4)
• In the late 1800s, texts of medical professionals carried forward this ancient menstrual talk, convincing women (and society as a whole) that menstruating women were not biologically capable of accomplishing much outside of the home. Specific exercises were even prescribed to young girls when they first started their menses to ensure ultimate health for child-bearing. (2, 6)
• Up until the mid-1920s the “mental strain” of education was said to weaken a woman’s reproductive capabilities and women who worked outside the home were said to disrupt the natural rhythm of the menstrual cycle, leading to reproductive challenges. (2, 3)
• And let’s not forget the 1950s Lysol ads that advocated women use this popular furniture cleaner as a vaginal douche! (5)

This is a fair bit of negative menstrual talk for us to work through!

As a woman, I will be the first to agree that having your period is not always a walk in the park. But, what I am capable of accomplishing while menstruating has little to do with my period and more to do with who I am as a person. From what history has shown us, women have and will continue to accomplish many great things, regardless of whether or not they are menstruating.

Of course, I cannot ignore the obvious “hassles” of period care. But, since switching to The DivaCup, the hassle of product changes, disposal and storage are no longer an issue.

For some women, the menstrual cycle can pose some unfortunate symptoms – extreme cramping, heavy flow, mood changes etc. – which may be limiting. However, just as we’ve come a long way in how we care for our periods, there are ways (healthy ways even) to manage such symptoms.

Military Diva, Stephanie Mckee

Many of the news stories surrounding the recent dismissal of those who’ve questioned whether women should be “dealing” with their periods while in combat raise some important issues that need to be addressed. If we take a closer look at the broader concern, it may be that the commentary is not suggesting that women not serve in the military, but more so that the process of caring for one’s cycle can be problematic.

And sometimes the process can be.

What many women don’t yet know is that The DivaCup offers a better way to care for your period. Because The DivaCup offers 12 hours of leak-free protection, women can work long hours without fear of leaking, whether on the frontlines, in the office, on campus or at home with the kids. Add to this, the reusable feature of The DivaCup and you no longer have to worry about disposal, environmental effects or whether or not you grabbed extra product for the day’s events.

Over the past 10 years, the Diva Team has learned that changing the way our society views menstruation and period care takes time. Although we may not like to read stories that question a woman’s capability while menstruating, viewing these moments as opportunities to educate the public about the truth of the matter and offering solutions to “dealing” with one’s period, can have lasting effects for women and society as a whole.

Help us debunk the menstrual myths of the past by sharing your insight with the Diva Community today, as well as with the women (and men) all around you!

So, I bought a box of tampons and after a few failed attempts I was able to insert one. I said goodbye to those giant pads forever. As I progressed through puberty, I had very heavy periods – sometimes going through a super absorbency tampon every couple of hours! I was always wondering if I was going to leak through my pants and face another humiliating moment.

Finally when I was about 15, everything balanced out and I was able to deal with my monthly menstruation with minimal hassle.

As the years went by I continued to wear tampons and never thought about seeking an alternative. I didn’t like wearing them because I found them to be a bit dry, especially if my flow was light and it was always difficult to avoid peeing on the string.

Then I found The DivaCup… and have been at peace with my feminine hygiene ever since.

I’ve been a student of Brazilian jiu jitsu for about four and a half years and as the only female student in my class, I’ve always felt a little out of place. BJJ is a martial art which was developed to allow a smaller person to defend him or herself against a larger opponent using chokes and joint locks. Most techniques happen on the ground, kind of like wrestling. Some of these techniques, like the triangle choke, involve one person wrapping her legs around her opponent’s head and arm to cut the blood supply off at the neck.

Curious about how this all works? Check out this video of me finishing a triangle choke in competition.

Being in such close contact with another person in training can be pretty uncomfortable especially during your menstrual period. Fortunately since I started using The DivaCup, I almost feel more comfortable during that time of the month than I do on a regular day because The DivaCup forms a seal that prevents menstrual flow from leaking! In fact, in all the years I’ve used The DivaCup, I have never experienced the leakage I sometimes had while using tampons.

I am so pleased to support a Canadian company that cares about women’s health and wellness as much as The DivaCup does and I hope you will too.

For my review of The DivaCup and for more information about competing in Brazilian jiu jitsu, please check out my author page on Breaking Muscle.

Sally Arsenault has been a fitness enthusiast for over a decade training in weightlifting, Brazilian jiu jitsu, mixed martial arts, wrestling, and muay Thai. She enjoys sharing her love of BJJ with other women in her women’s only jiu jitsu class at Titans MMA and looks forward to future competitions and new fitness challenges.

For many of us, this week brings us the first few days of spring and although there are flurries in the forecast, (for those of us in the North), there is still much to look forward to!

What I think I like most about spring is that it is the one season that carries with it a “to-do” list. Summer motivates us to indulge and relax, autumn marks the start of a new beginning and winter… winter often carries with it a plethora of new winter recipes, outfits and holiday events.

But, spring seems to bring an energy that motivates me (and I’m sure many other Divas) to clean and organize not just our homes, but our diets, exercise routine and thought processes. There’s something about seeing new and colorful growth all around us that makes us want to also renew and grow.

While not an expert on spring cleaning, I wanted to share a few things we can all do to renew our spaces, thoughts and bodies.

While we may not love what often comes with spring (cleaning!), that familiar feeling of a new season and having a few things better organized can be liberating. Cleaning those things you don’t normally clean like mattresses, windows, drapes and even your shower curtain will give your home an added sense of cleanliness. You may also want to switch your cleaning routine to include all natural cleaners or reusable cloths.

Sorting through cupboards and closets and donating items that you didn’t use in the past six months is a must. That winter sweater that you have yet to wear, will probably not be worn next year. A great thing to try is a clothing swap. Gather some friends, have each bring a handful of clothes they can part with and swap!

source: sunnysideupblog.com

Light colors, floral arrangements and spring inspired outdoor decorations are a great way to change up your living space, for little to no cost.

Although we all love potatoes, the arrival of spring promises much loved produce. Asparagus, radishes, beets, lemon and rhubarb are just a few of the many tastes we have to look forward to in the coming months! Eating local and trying some new spring recipes will definitely give you some extra energy for the cleaning you may have ahead!

I’ll admit, when the snow comes, I hibernate. But, with the sunshine and warm weather approaching it is time to get outside and move! But, not at all once! Easing into a spring exercise routine will allow you to learn your limits and preferred workout time. Signing up for a community league, ensuring you have the right gear, and that you have set realistic goals, will get you off on the right foot.

What “Spring into Spring” Diva tips do you have for the Diva Community?

Being a woman on the fire department brings with it some unique challenges and having a period should not be one of them, but sadly it is.

Do I carry tampons in my pocket? Do I keep them in my locker? Is there somewhere I can stash them in the washroom? What about on a call when I have taken off my fatigue pants and am wearing bunker pants and shorts? Do I also have to keep some in my bunker pants, or in a bag on the pump?

It really shouldn’t take that much thought.

When working overnight (and now all of our shifts are overnight, as we work 24 hour days), I used to set my alarm for every 90-120 minutes so I could go to the washroom, I was that nervous about an “accident”. I’ve even had tampons fall out of my pocket and end up in couch cushions, or on the floor.

Ugh… enough was enough!

The day finally arrived and, good fortune was shining down, as I was off shift for 5 more days and could have this experience by myself and not have to worry about it at work! I was in the midst of packing after selling my house and was shocked at how comfortable The DivaCup was, and how I almost forgot I even had a period. Without overselling, it was absolutely glorious!

The commercials with women dancing, swimming or riding horse-back should have been made for The DivaCup!

I will admit to being a little uneasy with the visual experience in the beginning, but once I was used to that, this product became my absolute favorite!

Growing up I was very active. I was a swimmer, on my school’s track team, played varsity and Club Volleyball and played fastball all summer. As I got older, this progressed into swimming for fitness, running, playing club volleyball and slow-pitch, and no matter what season it was; there it was, the dreaded period. It never failed to come along with me to weekend tournaments, road-trips to the East coast, and even holidays to the beach. If I had known then what I know now, I would have packed one small little DivaCup in my bag, and been on my way!

Sue with daughter, Taylor

Now as a mother, I have purchased a cup for my daughter. She isn’t too sure about using it, so I am giving her some time to look into it herself. She is 18 and away at University, and I know this would help her a great deal and save her some money as well. Not having to worry about running out of products, would be fantastic; because as a teen worrying about school, that is one trip to the store that can often be forgotten.

We’ll have a good chat about it when she is home for vacation.

We are also going to bring this up with the girls at Camp FFIT this summer. Camp FFIT is a week-long, summer day camp in Ottawa for young ladies between the ages of 15 and 19.

This is a program Ottawa Fire Services and Fire Service Women Ontario are very proud of. 24 young women attend each summer and find within themselves the strength to complete the tasks we give them. They conquer fears of heights, ladders, darkness, close spaces and realize they are stronger, smarter and better equipped to cope with stressful situations than they thought they were. We give them a sneak peak into being a firefighter; tough drills, fitness classes, and a Q&A Session for women/girls only.

Teaching the girls about Aerial Operations in the Bronto, Camp FFIT 2010.

Every day is broken into events, usually four rotations of firefighting evolutions, taught by women and men from Ottawa Fire Services as well as firefighters from surrounding Fire Departments and recent graduates from Algonquin College and La Cite Collegial. We also incorporate Health and Wellness as one of our rotations.

Normally, we discuss proper nutrition, workouts and mental health/stress. Next year, we will definitely be offering information on The DivaCup, as most of these young ladies are athletes and would benefit greatly from having one less thing to worry about! Not to mention, those who continue to pursue firefighting as a career would be one step ahead of where the rest of us were when we first started!

More information about the camp can be found at www.ottawa.ca (entire Camp FFIT into the search feature), or by emailing campffit@ottawa.ca

I had the opportunity to meet the ladies from Diva International at our second annual Fire Service Women Ontario Conference in Waterloo, Ontario. It was an absolute pleasure to be able to discuss the product and to encourage other women at the conference to use it. Meeting Francine and the other ladies from Diva was a blessing for many of us. Smiling, laughing, talking, wearing pink, these women are very empowering and left a wonderful impression on us. Meeting and getting to know these women not only helped us to believe in the product, it instilled a unique trust in it, as they stand tall behind it! We also learned the cups are made in Canada with Canadian materials and of course are completely eco-friendly.

Less waste, less expense and less worry! What more could you ask for!

Sue has been a firefighter with Ottawa Fire Services since 2006 and has been a Co-Director of Camp FFIT since it’s inaugural year in 2010. Sue is also on the Board of Directors of the Not for Profit organization, Fire Service Women Ontario, that has just celebrated its third year. As a firefighter, Sue has been able to take advantage of many unique opportunities; volunteering her time at the weekend long adventure race, Quest for a Cure and Animal Rescue as well as becoming a Provincially Carded Boxer and member of the City of Ottawa USAR team (Urban Search and Rescue). On top of all this… she is a Diva!