Who Was Leona Watson Chalmers? Mother Of The Menstrual Cup Industry

Leona Watson Chalmers, born in 1883 in Kentucky, led a remarkable life, transitioning from a Broadway star to a pioneering entrepreneur in menstrual health. Although she did not invent the menstrual cup, her efforts played a crucial role in popularising this innovative product. This article talks about Chalmers' significant contributions to menstrual health.

Early Broadway Career: A Dream Fulfilled

Leona Watson’s early years were marked by a determined pursuit of stardom. With a beautiful singing voice and talent, she took a bold step by pawning her family’s piano to fund her move to New York City. Her belief that success was imminent was met with harsh realities, as she struggled initially and faced poverty. However, her persistence paid off, leading to roles in touring companies and eventually landing her a prominent position as a star in Broadway productions.

Her dedication to her craft was unwavering and commendable. In interviews, she famously declared, "It isn't my way. I can't stop here," embodying the relentless drive that defined her career. By 1911, she had achieved significant fame, becoming a celebrated figure in the theatre world, and featured prominently in magazines and newspapers.

Personal Life and Tragedy: A Start To A New Chapter

In the 1910s, Leona Watson’s life took a new direction when she married Charles Chalmers, a wealthy businessman and the brother of the founder of Chalmers Motor Company. The couple settled in Philadelphia and had a daughter, also named Leona Watson Chalmers. During this period, Leona largely retired from her stage career to focus on her family life.

Tragedy struck in 1932 when her husband Charles died by suicide after struggling with financial losses. Leona, who discovered him, faced immense personal hardship but did not let the grief retreat into obscurity. Instead, she moved back to New York City, determined to forge a new path.

The Birth of the Tassette: Revolutionising Menstrual Care

In 1909, Chalmers, known professionally as Leona Watson, performed in The Climax on Broadway. Her experience as a performer, particularly dealing with the challenges of a white silk gown and a rigorous touring schedule, inspired her to develop a better menstrual product. Chalmers sought a solution that would prevent leaks and unsightly bulges, something particularly important for actresses in revealing costumes.

Watson's product, the Tassette, was designed with these needs in mind. She even suggested that actresses preferred her product and tampons over older methods, which involved using gauze or cotton.

“…the first commercial cup was devised by Leona W. Chalmers, a onetime Broadway star who created it because she wanted to wear her costumes of white silk without fear.”

– NY Times

In 1935, at the age of 52, Leona Chalmers patented her menstrual cup design, named the Tassette. Although she did not invent the concept of the menstrual cup, her innovation and marketing efforts significantly advanced the product’s visibility. The Tassette was designed to offer a reusable and more comfortable alternative to the disposable menstrual products prevalent at the time.

While many of Chalmers’ recommendations were ahead of their time, some of her advice was rooted in outdated and patriarchal views. Her books placed heavy emphasis on intimate cleanliness, including the use of douches, reflecting the societal norms and fears of the era. Chalmers warned that failure to maintain internal cleanliness could lead to marital abandonment, a notion also echoed by contemporary brands like Lysol, which promoted its vaginal douches with similar scare tactics.

Modern understanding has debunked these claims. It is now known that the vagina is self-cleaning, and the use of douches or other internal cleaning products can be harmful rather than beneficial.

Chalmers drew inspiration from her experiences as a touring actress, where managing menstrual hygiene with white costumes was challenging. Her first book, The Intimate Side of a Woman’s Life, published in 1937, included discussions on reproductive health and advocated for menstrual cups, reflecting her commitment to providing women with straightforward and practical information about their bodies.

Leona Chalmers is often celebrated as the "inventor" of the modern menstrual cup, largely due to her role as the designer and sole promoter of the Tassette. However, Chalmers herself clarified in her writings that she did not originate the idea. Instead, she drew inspiration from earlier menstrual cup designs.

Despite this, her entrepreneurial spirit and relentless marketing efforts earned her a rightful place as a key figure in the menstrual cup movement, earning her the moniker "Mother of the Menstrual Cup Movement."

Challenges and Persistence: Overcoming Obstacles

The Tassette faced several hurdles, including a shortage of rubber during World War II, which halted production. Despite these setbacks, Chalmers remained dedicated to promoting her product. She continued advertising the Tassette through the 1940s and 1950s, often using creative marketing strategies to reach potential customers.

In 1958, at the age of 75, Chalmers sold her Tassette assets and intellectual property to businessman Robert Oreck. The Tassette became notable for being the first menstrual product to be advertised on a Times Square billboard and on the radio. However, despite these high-profile marketing efforts, the product struggled to achieve lasting success.

Later Developments and Legacy

In the 1960s, Oreck attempted to revitalise the menstrual cup market by introducing a new version called Tassaway, which was designed for single use. Despite substantial investment in marketing and distribution, the Tassaway failed to succeed, leading to the company's dissolution and leaving many customers searching for remaining stock.

The menstrual cup concept faded from mainstream view until the 1980s, when Lou Crawford, a former Tassette customer, launched the Keeper Cup. The timing was favourable, as concerns about toxic shock syndrome (TSS) associated with tampons spurred interest in alternative menstrual products. The Keeper Cup became a popular and cult-favourite product, paving the way for modern menstrual cups.

Following this, companies like Moon Cup and DivaCup emerged, with the latter founded by a mother-daughter team in Canada. Their innovations and marketing efforts have shaped the contemporary menstrual cup industry, making it a viable and widely accepted alternative to disposable products.

From her early days on Broadway to her groundbreaking work in menstrual health, her contributions have had a lasting impact. Though she faced many obstacles, her vision for a more sustainable and comfortable menstrual product laid the foundation for the modern menstrual cup industry.