37: From Misdiagnosis to Advocacy: Breaking the Silence on Uterine Fibroids with Tanika Gray Valbrun

Guilty Privilege

Amber Cabral sits down with Tanika Gray Valbrun, Founder & CEO of The White Dress Project, Inc. and a CNN Content Producer, for a powerful conversation on women’s reproductive health and advocacy. Tanika shares her deeply personal journey with uterine fibroids, from misdiagnoses in her teens to the search for meaningful support and answers. She discusses the impact of systemic biases on women of color and the critical importance of accurate diagnoses and adequate resources.

In this episode, Tanika also delves into the role of The White Dress Project in bringing awareness and change, from community support to the official designation of July as Fibroid Awareness Month. She underscores the need for funding and research, as well as the importance of seeking informed medical opinions and exploring diagnostic options like MRIs.

This conversation is both a call to action and a reminder of the power of personal advocacy.

Tune in for an inspiring discussion that highlights the importance of awareness, community, and equitable healthcare for all women.

KEY POINTS:

- How Tanika founded the White Dress Project in 2024 and its mission

- The importance of providing support for women dealing with reproductive health issues

- On misconceptions women face in diagnosing and treating fibroids

- On addressing the medical bias and racial disparities in the treatment of fibroids

- Awareness: WDP’s success in creating Fibroid Awareness Month

- Tanika's experience with multiple fibroids and its impact on her motherhood dream

- The power of storytelling and advocating for change in the reproductive health space

- Tanika’s advice for women who want to advocate for public health issues

- What is one privilege that Tanika refuses to feel guilty about?

QUOTABLES:

"It is what I'm here to do — advocate for people who are managing life with fibroids and managing life with reproductive health issues." – Tanika Gray Valbrun

“One of the things I wish I could have done immediately after was almost give people a guidebook of questions to ask – no matter what these things –and if you are uncomfortable with the answers, you should find another doctor." – Amber Cabral

“I wanted to create community. I wanted people to understand that they could advocate for themselves, that they were the CEOs of their bodies.” – Tanika Gray Valbrun

GUEST RESOURCES

Tanika Gray Valbrun

IG | @tgvwearswhite

LinkedIn | @tanikagrayvalbrun

Amber Cabral

IG | @bamcabral

LinkedIn | @ambercabral

Facebook | @amber.cabral

Twitter | @BamCabral

Watch Amber’s TED TALK episode here.

Grab a copy of Amber’s books at Amazon!

Allies and Advocates: Creating an Inclusive and Equitable Culture

Say More About That: ...And Other Ways to Speak Up, Push Back, and Advocate for Yourself and Others -

Guilty Privilege is produced by EPYC Media Network