M-Boldened

Written and curated by General Editor Caroline Harris, writer and former journalist (Spare Rib; The Observer), the book features chapter contributions from: Carol Russell, founder of Fresh Voices UK and acclaimed screenwriter on the BAFTA-nominated Soon Gone: A Windrush Chronicle; Jennifer Nadel, founder of Compassion in Politics; Tessa Sanderson CBE, Olympic gold-winning athlete and Patron of Adoption UK; Lynne Franks OBE, communications powerhouse, founder of the SEED women’s empowerment network; Shad Begum, recipient of the International Women of Courage award for her pioneering work in Pakistan; acclaimed filmmaker Arzu Qaderi, whose work amplifies the voices of women in Afghanistan; founders of The M Word festival in Ireland Aisling Grimley and Catherine O’Keeffe; Sophia Tzeng, entrepreneur and nonprofit executive; groundbreaking commentator and activist Caryn Franklin MBE; Rachel Weiss, founder of the Menopause Café movement; Diane Danzebrink, #MakeMenopauseMatter founder; the Medical Women’s International Association; First Vice President of the Global NGO Executive Committee affiliated with the Department of Global Communications, United Nations, Dr Padmini Murthy; women’s health and menopause champions Dr Christine Ekechi and Dr Wen Shen; and the Australian Nursing and Midwifery Federation. Other chapters offer intimate, harrowing and heartfelt accounts: Clare Barstow relates her shocking experiences of menopause neglect in the UK criminal justice system; Cat Chong explores how we use language to frame the menopause from a non-binary perspective; Emily Steinberg uses graphic art to visualise the history of menopause treatment; Carren Strock explores the emotional, mental and sexual awakenings of menopause; Sophie Watkins and her partner Stephen Purvis share how Sophie’s surgical menopause affected them and their relationship; and Lee Hurley talks about the shock of menopause as a trans man. The introduction also includes original interviews with Mandu Reid, leader of the Women’s Equality Party, and Dr Caroline Marfleet, a pioneering consultant in sexual and reproductive health.

‘Please read this book. It will save your sanity, enlighten you, support you and, I hope, make your menopause days sunnier.’