Empowering women’s health: The Story of Elizabeth Amoaa ‘Special Lady’

At the forefront of women’s reproductive health advocacy stands Elizabeth Amoaa, a trailblasing figure who has transformed her personal journey into a mission to uplift and educate others.

Widely known as ‘Special Lady,’ Elizabeth is the founder of Speciallady Awareness, a non-governmental organization (NGO) committed to promoting female reproductive health advocacy and menstrual hygiene education.

Elizabeth’s journey is one of resilience and courage. She gained international recognition as the first Black woman to openly discuss her experience with uterus didelphys, a rare biological condition where a woman is born with two wombs, two cervixes and two vaginal canals.

This rare condition, often misunderstood and misdiagnosed, led Elizabeth down a difficult path of numerous medical procedures, surgeries and instances of medical negligence.

Despite these challenges, Elizabeth turned her struggle into strength, establishing Speciallady Awareness in 2017 to support women battling similar reproductive health disorders.

Elizabeth’s NGO, Speciallady Awareness, has become a beacon of hope for women and girls facing reproductive health issues. The organization focuses on raising awareness, offering advice and creating a safe space for women dealing with various health conditions, including severe endometriosis and fibroids—both of which Elizabeth herself suffers from.

Through education and advocacy, the organization seeks to break the stigma surrounding reproductive health, while also working to address critical issues like menstrual hygiene.

To date, Speciallady Awareness has made significant strides in promoting reproductive health in Ghana and beyond. Not only has the NGO provided over $150,000 worth of medical supplies to improve maternal and pediatric care in Ghana, but it has also distributed 30,000 sanitary pads to female students, combatting menstrual poverty and ensuring that young girls can continue their education uninterrupted.

These efforts are part of a broader mission to ensure that no woman or girl is held back by the lack of access to proper healthcare or menstrual products.

In addition to her advocacy work, Elizabeth is an accomplished author.
Her books, The Special Lady and The Unspoken Identity – The Woman with Two Vaginas, offer compelling narratives of her personal journey with uterus didelphys and other reproductive health disorders such as stage 4 endometriosis, uterine fibroids and secondary infertility.

These books provide not only insight into her physical and emotional struggles but also serve as educational tools for others facing similar conditions.

Her advocacy extends into the educational sector as well.
In recognition of the importance of raising awareness about reproductive health, her book The Unspoken Identity has been approved by Ghana’s National Council for Curriculum and Assessment (NaCCA) as supplementary educational material in Senior High Schools across the country.

Furthermore, her work is available in over 500 libraries and universities worldwide, including prestigious institutions such as the University of Oxford, University of Cambridge and the British Library.

Elizabeth’s impact has been recognized on a global scale. Her story has been featured in more than 150 countries and highlighted in various renowned publications, including Rotary International Great Britain and Ireland Magazine, Army Families Federation Magazine, JUNO Magazine, Health Magazine (UK), Boots Health & Beauty and My Story Magazine (Ghana).

Her advocacy has earned her numerous awards from prestigious bodies across Ghana, the UK and Ethiopia.

In 2022, Elizabeth served as the President of the Rotary Global Hub (now known as Direct Membership of Rotary International), representing Rotary International Great Britain and Ireland.

Her leadership and dedication to service continue to inspire people worldwide, especially women facing reproductive health challenges.

Elizabeth Amoaa’s journey is a testament to the power of resilience, advocacy and community.

Through Speciallady Awareness, she is not only raising awareness but also providing tangible solutions to improve the lives of women and girls around the world.

Her story continues to inspire and her work remains crucial in the fight for reproductive health rights and menstrual equity.

As she expands her advocacy and outreach, Elizabeth is paving the way for a future where no woman is left behind due to health challenges that can and should be addressed.

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