Leona Chalmers

Leona W. Chalmers (born early 1900s) was an American-born actress, inventor, and author.

She was known for creating the first menstrual cup, also known as a "catamenial receptor", in the United States in 1937. There were products similar to this before, but Chalmers was the first to patent and market the device. The menstrual cup was an alternative to the tampon or sanitary napkin for women. After hard rubber cups failed to sell during the 1930s, and facing an upcoming rubber shortage from World War II, Chalmers and her team created a softer version also known as vulcanized rubber. As this product evolved, it changed names and became disposable.

Works

As an author, Chalmers has written “The Intimate Side of a Woman’s Life” and other books.