Breast of Canada
2002
TERA draws your attention to a fabulous calendar. It's available at the website www.breastofcanada.com. Don't be concerned that we're in 2002 but it's a 2002 calendar: this publication is important regardless of the year.
A high percentage of the proceeds from sales goes towards support services for breast cancer, because breast health and disease prevention are the calendar's main subject. The monthly images, beautifully created in black and white by photographer Melanie Gillis, are thoughtful, touching, and imaginative. They are of women aged 18 to 58 with breasts of all shapes and sizes, and make no attempt to hide or deride those breasts. Quite the opposite: this calendar is a celebration of women and their breasts. So there is much more to it than even 12 insightful photos or a convincing argument to support a worthy cause.
The brains (and one of the bodies) behind this calendar is Sue Richards of Guelph, Ontario. She calls herself "Empress of Concept and Direction." You bet, and that's the least title she deserves for this wonderful calendar.
Throughout it you will find many tips about breast care and health. There are quotations from all kinds of people, including William Shakespeare, Gloria Steinem and . . . Eeyore! Lots of holidays are marked, and there are facts and stories with every month. Be sure to read the whole first part of the calendar: it discusses breast self-examination in simple but enlightening terms, with photos of real breasts, not the usual line drawings. (Don't believe news reports that imply BSEs are not worthwhile.)
What makes this calendar remarkable and moving from TERA's perspective is that it focusses on preventing breast disease in the widest way. That means complete breast health, psychological as well as physical. Finally, something that realizes and promotes the complete picture, including acceptance and pride for breasts!
TERA supporters will be especially happy to see the story for June 2002: there you will find a photo of Gwen Jacob and a brief report of her magnificent court victory in 1996 that helped free women's breasts from the confines of the indecency laws in Canada, and to some extent in the USA.
As mentioned, the calendar celebrates not just breasts but women, and not just women but life. The concept seems obvious, but it's not to most people. In a calendar, it's a revelation.
The President of TERA showed this calendar to some office mates who said "Nice, but not on my wall." It's time to be very breast and woman positive, folks, and get copies of this glorious production to tack onto plenty of walls.
TERA is not connected to this 2002 calendar and gains not a cent from it. We recommend it because it's a beautiful and inspiring piece of work about women, and about their breasts and their freedom from all negative things, including shame and disease.
There are promises of a 2003 edition of the calendar. So please buy some 2002 copies and make this calendar an annual event.
(review written by TERA's president)
Price: The calendar is now free in
quantity to good homes! And the 2003 calendar may be
pre-ordered.
www.breastofcanada.com
