#SMCR2015 Plenary Session Video Presentation
Menstrual Poetry Open Mic
Menstrual educator and activist Chella Quint, center, teaches the audience the Menstrual Products Cha Cha at #SMCR2015 Open Mic.
The 21st Biennial Conference of the Society for Menstrual Cycle Research at The Center for Women’s Health and Human Rights, June 4-6, 2015, Suffolk University, Boston concluded on Saturday night, June 6th, with a menstrual poetry open mic. Local slam poets joined SMCR members for an evening of spoken word performances about menstrual realities: big, small, old and new. Performers explored the multiple dimensions of our messy, wondrous and vexing bodies, our sexualities, genders, health and our feminisms. The event was hosted and kicked off by Janae Johnson, a Boston area spoken word poet, teaching artist, educator and winner of the 2015 Women of the World Poetry Slam.
Click on the arrow, sit back and enjoy a unique, free-wheeling, all-welcome evening of spoken word performances.
Videography provided by courtesy of Robert Lewis.
What a night it was…the blend of poetry spoken by seasoned pros and humble amateurs, the new pieces, the classics, the performance art (balloons!), the menstrual cha cha taught by Chella Quint, Lucy Madeline’s brilliant “how to use a condom” lesson, Rosie Sheba’s original piece written while on bike touring across the country….There was richness on every level–the range of ages and life experiences, the vulnerability and power, the honesty, the rage the joy, and the hope. And we didn’t even have enough time for everyone who signed up to perform! The room was simply electric with crackling energy and it was a privilege to be there.