Anyone who knew Sarah knows that she was, without fear of hyperbole, the strongest advocate for accepting people for who they are. Whether it is how they express themselves as a person, or the beautiful order of their bodies gifted to them by nature, her passion I think taught us all something profound about how openess helps us appreciate our shared humanity. Speaking for myself (but I'm sure there are many others who would agree), she fundamentally changed me and deepened my capacity for understanding other people.

It was on one of the last times we were hanging out that she received a copy of a book she ordered from the Vagina Museum (I can't recall which one it was). We spent some time with her showing me its various photo collections, explaining some of the typical stories familiar to women but lesser known to men, which always take us by surprise. It made me think; she was right about the effect mystifying and fearing parts of our own bodies has on our wellbeing, and our relationships with each other. It's clear that the right thing for me to do to celebrate and honour her life is support this perfect example of where her passion brought me into the fold of her core beliefs.

It was on one of the first times we met, she came to sit next to me in science class maybe 17 years ago, to tell me just how disappointed she was that I'd cut my long hair off (the first time around). With her deep probing perception, she knew I had bowed to the pressures of wearing long hair as a symbol of defiance, and she rightly berated me for removing my personal affront to gender stereotypes. We became the very best of friends immediately. Now I'm doing it again, well aware how much a man intentionally cutting off an impressive head of hair would have pissed her off, to help shine a light on something she believed with all her conviction and spirit.

My hair is being donated to the Little Princess Trust (https://www.littleprincesses.org.uk/), which provides wigs for children with cancer. If you want to donate to them separately, it helps towards the cost of making the wig and other admin. Sarah once gave me a wig for my birthday so there's sort of a connection there too.

The Vagina Museum is the world's first bricks-and-mortar museum dedicated to vaginas, vulvas and the gynaecological anatomy. The Vagina Museum was launched in 2017 and started with pop ups around the country including exhibitions and events. 

Its mission as stated on its website is:

01.
Spread knowledge and raise awareness of the gynaecological anatomy and health

02.
Give confidence to people to talk about issues surrounding the gynaecological anatomy

03.
Erase the stigma around the body and gynaecological anatomy

04.
Act as a forum for feminism, women’s rights, the LGBT+ community and the intersex community

05.
Challenge heteronormative and cisnormative behaviour

06.
Promote intersectional, feminist and trans-inclusive values