In 2017, you’d think we’d be past the stigma surrounding menstruation. With advanced products like ultra-absorbent pads, menstrual cups, and period panties, it seems like women have everything they need to handle their cycles. Yet, the reality is that leaks can and do happen, sometimes leaving us feeling embarrassed and ashamed. Alisha Taylor, a mother of three from Georgia, faced this very issue while working as an E-911 call taker at the Bobby Dodd Institute, an organization dedicated to assisting individuals with disabilities.
After nine years of dedicated service, Alisha began experiencing heavy periods due to perimenopause, a common stage in a woman’s life marked by hormonal fluctuations. According to health experts, these changes often lead to irregular and sometimes heavy bleeding. Recognizing her symptoms, Alisha proactively stocked up on menstrual supplies at work and even informed her supervisor, who advised her to do the same.
However, in August 2015, the inevitable occurred. Alisha experienced a sudden heavy flow that stained not just her clothing but also her chair. After reporting the incident, she was told to change. A couple of days later, she received a disciplinary notice warning that she would be fired if she ever soiled another chair due to her menstrual flow. Yes, you read that right.
This misunderstanding of a natural bodily function is deeply troubling. The ACLU argues that her condition should be protected under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act, which prohibits discrimination based on pregnancy and related medical conditions. After all, menstruation is tied to reproductive health, and should not be a source of shame or humiliation.
Fast forward to April 22, 2016—Alisha, after cleaning up a small leak of menstrual blood on the carpet, was removed from her duties, despite being scheduled to work over the weekend. Just days later, she was terminated for allegedly failing to maintain “high standards of personal hygiene.” This is a classic example of misogyny—treating a natural occurrence as something dirty.
“I loved my job because I got to help people,” Alisha expressed in a statement. “But I never imagined I could lose my job over something so natural. My goal is to ensure no other woman has to endure this.”
After her appeal was initially rejected, the ACLU stepped in to support Alisha’s case, challenging the notion that her condition isn’t covered under existing protections. As Andrea Young, executive director of the Georgia ACLU, stated, “Firing a woman for having her period at work is offensive and demeaning.”
The conversation about menstruation needs to change. It’s a natural part of life for more than half the population, and yet society still treats it as taboo. As we continue the fight for gender equality, stories like Alisha’s remind us of the importance of advocating for women’s rights and health.
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In summary, the workplace should be a supportive environment for everyone, regardless of biological functions. Alisha’s case highlights the need to break down the stigma associated with menstruation and advocate for fair treatment in the workplace.
Keyphrase: menstrual discrimination
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