Meet Alara Kilic (she/her), an Inner Cycle member with a passion for reproductive health education and rights!
We met Alara virtually, through social media, when she reached out expressing interest in bringing August products to her university. From there, she was invited to join our Inner Cycle community (everybody is welcome to join BTW!) and we even got to meet her in-person at our very first August HQ meet-up in New York City!
She’s one of our favorite young Period Powerhouses and we can’t wait for you to read what she has to say about reproductive advocacy, period products, and her future in medicine.
Without further ado…Alara, introduce yourself!
“Hi! My name is Alara, I am a first generation Turkish-American Biochemistry and Sociology student at UMass Amherst!
I want to be a doctor one day, specifically an OB/GYN, so reproductive health is something I have been passionate about for years.
A recent independent project I have started is giving period products to menstruators who are in need. I picked up some pads, tampons, and hand sanitizer and put them in sandwich bags, and I handed them out to those who might not be able to afford or have a lack of access to period products.
This is my way of taking advantage of my privilege in being able to afford these expensive period products. I simply carry these ‘period packs’ in my bag at all times and hand them out.”
How did you find your passion and purpose in what you do?
“I think finding purpose came with realizing that I want to be a doctor.
I am so passionate about advocating for reproductive rights and normalizing periods/fighting the stigma around periods. Being so passionate about these topics and wanting to go into such a professional field has made me understand the kind of doctor I want to be.
I really admire Dr. Jennifer Lincoln [we do too!]; the way that she educates her community while being such a hard working doctor motivates me to be a physician like her one day!”
How does menstruation exist in your life?
“I got my first period when I was 11, almost 12 years old! I remember being really scared when I first got it, even though my parents had educated me about it prior.
I have been on the combo pill for about 3 years now so my cycle is 28 days and extremely precise. I always get my period on the 3rd day of the sugar pill week and it lasts about 3 days. Before I went on the pill my periods lasted about 7-9 days!
I always find myself feeling happy when I get my period because it is a sign that my body is healthy and doing what it needs to do. I like to think of it as a way that my body is able to communicate with me in this special and personal way.”
This mindset is the definition of period power – Everyone follow suit!
What’s your funniest period story?
“So, when I first started getting my period, they were really irregular, which is pretty typical since the body is adjusting to this new function!
It was my 12th birthday and I was skiing in Canada, wearing white snow pants… yeah, uh oh…. Since I wasn’t expecting my period, I was shocked when I went to the restroom to see that I got my period up in the mountains with absolutely no products on me.
I remember making a pad out of toilet paper, and there was blood all over my snow pants, which was just perfect because red shows up REALLY well on white! :)”
What’s your ride or die August product?
“August tampons are your best friend imo! They don’t pinch you (You know what I’m talking about)!
I seriously wish I had these tampons when I was first learning to use tampons. They are so comfortable and beginner-user friendly!”
Check out this How-To Guide about using a tampon for the first time!
What advice would you give to younger menstruators out there?
“Normalize menstruation! Getting a period is a beautiful means of communication between you and your body, and the most important part is that it is so natural!
You should never feel like you need to hide your period, or your period products from anyone. When you go to the bathroom to change your pad or tampon, DON’T hide it in your pocket!!! Hold the product in your hand like you would a pen!
Fight the stigma, and challenge your community to view menstruation for what it really is!”
Any last thoughts? <3
“I love the team at August. I am so grateful for the amazing group of individuals who have created one of the most influential period product companies.
I hope to continue working with them through my undergrad, medschool, and even when I become a doctor one day. Needless to say, I plan to bring August’s message and impact with me wherever I go!”
And we’re gonna be right here following your lead Alara! So amazing. Thank you for sharing your passion with us and the community.
Want to get your school’s restrooms stocked with period products?
- Text ‘August’ to 243-41
- Subscribe!
- Text ‘AAP’ and follow the instructions
AAP stands for the ‘August Advocates Program’. Anyone can be an August Advocate – students, teachers, administrators, parents, guardians, employers, coaches – you name it!
