A social practice photo and poetry book

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This project was inspired by my own journey through perimenopause and past that one day of my

life into menopause. I struggled with symptoms that were confounding, brushed off, misdiagnosed

and ignored for years. It was only through talking with other women and creating a community that

I was able to identify my experiences as a part of the menopause journey and advocate for myself

within the medical system that had failed me. But it was also through this community that I learned

how many other women had been failed by the lack of awareness of menopause and the myriad

of symptoms that come along with this very normal life journey. Women felt isolated, confused,

traumatized and unsupported throughout their own journeys and I started to ask why do we teach

young girls about puberty but don’t teach women about menopause? Why do we hand girls a cute

book that outlines all of the symptoms and the effects these will have on their lives, that they can

pour over to understand what will and is happening to their bodies but not provide the same for

menopausal women?

Our mission was to create an adult version of the same kind of book: an artistic “Menopause Manual”

that shares real life stories of women going through menopause and how it has affected their lives.

Through this process we created community and connection and we are honored that you today have

picked up this book and will share in community with us.

- Dawn van de Schoot