Dana M. Awad, Period Pro from Tilman J. Fertitta Family College of Medicine at the University of Houston
Attending the ASPIRE conference, hosted by Girls Inc., was one of the most transformative experiences I’ve had as a second-year medical student. Walking into the conference, I felt a mixture of excitement and nerves. Representing the Period Education Project (PEP) on such a large scale was both an honor and a responsibility. I had only been a Period Pro for a year, learning from my incredible mentor and fellow Period Pro, Carolina Venturi. When she invited me to co-present our PEP rally in front of a room of over 150 attendees, I knew I had to push past my stage fright and focus on what truly mattered: delivering PEP’s message to empower women and girls everywhere.
One of the pivotal moments came during the rally itself. We challenged the audience to shout words like “tampon,” “vagina,” and “vulva” out loud—a strategy we use to break down the stigma around menstruation and normalize conversations about periods. I was floored when the audience, composed of women from all over the country, screamed louder than any group of sixth-graders I’d ever presented to. It was at that moment I realized the power of the work we’re doing, and that my own fears were small compared to the mission of helping people feel confident in understanding their bodies. Hearing those enthusiastic responses reminded me why I volunteered as a Period Pro in the first place. It’s not just about educating; it’s about helping people own their bodies, feel confident about their health, and destigmatize natural processes.
After the rally, I had a conversation that really stuck with me. A woman, a mother of three, came up to our booth and shared how even after going through childbirth three times, she learned something new about her own body from our session. That interaction was a turning point for me. It reinforced just how important PEP’s mission is—not just for young girls who are learning about menstruation for the first time, but for women of all ages. This experience made me realize that so many of us never received the medically accurate information we deserved when we were younger. If we can fill that gap now, we can empower generations of women to take control of their health and advocate for themselves with confidence.
Volunteering at ASPIRE also gave me the chance to strengthen my own skill set. I never considered myself the most comfortable speaker, but this event pushed me to work through my nerves. Standing in front of a large audience, I felt a shift in myself as I delivered our presentation with a growing sense of ease and conviction. The supportive energy of the room and the encouragement from Carolina and Maggie made all the difference. By the end of the conference, I realized that not only had I improved my presentation skills, but I also became more confident in my ability to connect with others and network in meaningful ways.
What made ASPIRE so special was the sheer sense of community. Throughout the day, we spoke with women from all walks of life—many of whom scheduled PEP rallies for their local communities, ensuring that more girls will have access to the kind of education that could empower them for life. It was incredible to witness how PEP’s collaboration with organizations like Girls Inc. can extend our reach across the nation, bringing medically accurate menstrual health education to underserved communities that need it most.
This experience reignited my passion for advocacy, reminding me of one of the reasons I chose to pursue medicine in the first place: to serve as a voice for those who might not have one, and to provide access to the knowledge and resources that help people advocate for themselves. I walked away from ASPIRE more certain than ever that I want to continue being a Period Pro throughout my medical school journey, helping girls—and women—feel strong, smart, and bold in every sense of the word. The connections we made, the skills I honed, and the impact I saw firsthand will stay with me for years to come.
I can’t wait for the future PEP rallies we have lined up with the amazing women we met at ASPIRE, and I’m excited to continue spreading the mission of empowering youth, one rally at a time.
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