"If men could menstruate, periods would be enviable," wrote Gloria Steinem, American feminist and activist in her 1986 article, If Men Could Menstruate. She, of course, goes on to demonstrate how the conversation around periods would change—if you haven't read it, please Google it now—and, "Young boys would talk about it as the envied beginning of manhood. Gifts, religious ceremonies, family dinners, and stag parties would mark the day."

Over three decades later, not much has changed. Women still don't talk, comfortably at least, about their periods. Certainly not all. And British broadcaster Emma Barnett is hoping to change that. Barnett, who is remembered as the first person in the UK to announce she was menstruating on live TV news, and has recently authored Period. (HarperCollins UK), says part of why her attitude towards menstruation is as healthy as it is, is because her mother celebrated her first period. "She actively toasted it with a celebratory hot chocolate. And congratulated me on becoming a woman. It made me feel safe, warm and proud. I wish all women felt like that—she definitely instilled a sense of period pride in me," says Barnett in an email interview.