When it comes to women’s health, understanding our collective wellness is essential. To celebrate Women’s History Month, we’re answering some of your most frequently asked questions about women’s biggest accomplishments, as well as key topics of concern pervading American society today. As the national hero of the Philippines once said, “know history, know self. No history, no self.” However, in this case, it’s more like “know herstory, know self. No herstory, no self.” The more informed we are about where we’ve been, the better we can uplift and empower each other to move the needle forward. In today’s fun yet educational blog, let’s get into some women’s history month trivia!

When was Women’s History Month established?

Women’s History Month began as a week-long celebration in 1981. By 1987, the United States extended this dedication to the entire month of March. The change came as a result of the National Women’s History Project lobbying to extend the observance in honor of women’s hard work and plethora of achievements.

Who are some notable figures in Women’s History?

• Henrietta Lacks: Lacks’ cells were the source of a groundbreaking development in cancer cell research known today as HeLa cells. Henrietta Lacks was an African American woman whose cells were collected by a doctor at John Hopkins University during a vaginal cervical cancer biopsy in 1951. HeLa cells were the first immortal human cells to reproduce themselves in a lab. Though Lacks’ never officially gave permission for her cells to be used, they became one of the greatest contributions to cancer cell research in the twentieth century. These immortal cells were so unassumingly attractive, their images would later be used as artwork displayed in museums around the country.
• Jeannette Rankin: Rankin was the first woman to serve in U.S. Congress. She was elected in 1916, and is still recognized as a pioneer for women in politics. In the early 1920s, she advocated for legislative changes in the women’s suffrage and social welfare movements.
• Margaret Sanger: Sanger is known for her great accomplishments in the birth control movement, namely the establishment of Planned Parenthood in 1916.
• Rosalind Franklin: Franklin was a British scientist known for her discovery of Photo 51, which revealed the double helix molecular structure of DNA.
• Marie Curie: Curie was the first woman to be awarded a Nobel Prize in the field of Science. First in Physics in 1903, then again in Chemistry in 1911. Today, she is considered an icon for women entering and working in STEM fields.

These women laid the groundwork for women today trailblazing in their own right. Each of these ordinary women showed up for their communities in extraordinary, and oftentimes unexpected, ways. As such, these changemakers exemplify the ultimate challenge of being a woman: the constant balancing act of wellness, intellectual stimulation, community building, and action.

Old lessons for modern challenges

We could continue this list of incredible women advancing the development of new ideologies that shapeshift the world we live in, but instead we’d like to focus in on how to apply the lessons we’ve learned from their journey. Today, women are utilizing online spaces to house their communities and legacies. One of the best ways to support yourself as you learn, grow, and develop personally and professionally is to find your tribe. By joining a community of likeminded women, you gain a special opportunity to grow your network, exchange experiences, and discover new ways to incorporate holistic health practices and improve your wellness routine so you can focus on more important things, such as career advancement and your overall contributions to society. Whether you’re dealing with the effects of poor stress management, physical pain, or inconsistent sleep patterns, join our Facebook community today to get plugged in.

The one challenge no woman can escape: Hormone imbalance

As we know, women face many unique challenges. Historically, our lives have been categorized by major events, such as menstruation, pregnancy, and menopause, due to the hormonal debilitation they induce. In many ways, our lives are constantly being thrown off by hormonal fluctuations. Symptoms of hormone imbalance feels inescapable, and is arguably one of the biggest challenges women face on an ongoing basis.

Approximately 80% of women experience symptoms of hormonal imbalance throughout their lifetime. If you are part of the latter 20%, consider yourself lucky! Symptoms of hormonal imbalance include brain fog, depression, irregular periods, irritability, changes in appetite, and chronic fatigue. Many women casually write these off as common experiences not realizing there are solutions to alleviate the physiological discomfort, and thus deny themselves of living a more pleasant, enjoyable, pain-free life.

Generations of women have suffered in silence, accepting the social stigma around talking openly about these challenges. Though rapid developments in science and technology have allowed us to learn about the intricate and complex systems that allow women to do miraculous things, such as bringing new life into the world, many important women’s health topics remain taboo in social discourse today.

As a disruptor to these social stigmas and an advocate for women’s health in every sense, Ladykind is committed to providing not only products, but also education that helps women improve day-to-day experiences. Our Facebook group offers kinship, wisdom, and support for those in search of natural, holistic solutions to everyday concerns, from menstruation through menopause and beyond.

History in-the-making: Ayurvedic medicine for women’s health

Like the women noted above, many members of our Ladykind community are pioneering change in their own communities today. As it relates to women’s health, holistic wellness practices and alternative medicine is taking up more and more of the spotlight. Incredible specialists such as Dr. Pratibha Shah, Dr. Vandana Shiva, and Maya Tiwari are leading the advocacy for modern medicine to lean on traditional Eastern practices used for centuries, namely Ayurveda.

Ayurveda is highly effective for various women’s health concerns, as it addresses issues pertaining to physical, mental, and emotional health. What’s more, this ancient Indian practice uses natural remedies and lifestyle adjustments that present little to no health risks or unwanted side effects in comparison to pharmaceutical medications. Notably, Ayurveda offers tailored treatments for each stage of a woman’s life that focus on restoring balance and homeostasis.

The principles Ayurveda was founded on emphasize herbal remedies, earth-derived supplements, and other homeopathic therapies to balance hormone production and strengthen reproductive health. As a result, the body is able to tap into it’s true capacity for healing, balancing daily stressors, and reducing pain.

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