[Congressional Record Volume 166, Number 164 (Tuesday, September 22, 2020)]
[House]
[Pages H4644-H4645]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    ALOPECIA AREATA AWARENESS MONTH

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Chair recognizes the gentlewoman from 
Massachusetts (Ms. Pressley) for 5 minutes.
  Ms. PRESSLEY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in solidarity with my fellow 
Americans with alopecia in recognition of September as Alopecia Areata 
Awareness Month.
  Today, like nearly 7 million Americans, I live with alopecia, an 
autoimmune disease that attacks the hair follicles. This common 
condition is highly unpredictable and cyclical. Hair can grow back in 
or fall out again at any time, and the course is different for each 
person.
  Alopecia areata disproportionately affects children and Black 
Americans, and particularly Black women.
  Some people may say that it is just hair, but for me and for many 
people living with alopecia, hair is intrinsically linked to our 
identity and our cultural expression.
  We all have our own unique stories with our alopecia diagnosis. Mine 
began nearly a year ago as my braider noticed a small patch of 
baldness. Very soon after, I was waking up to sinks full of hair. What 
started as a few small patches quickly spread.
  I remember the moment vividly. I was alone in my D.C. apartment, 
separated from my family, on the same day that would have been my 
mother's 72nd birthday and on the eve of an impeachment vote. I was 
standing in the bathroom, staring at my reflection in the mirror, and 
for the first time I was completely bald.
  For months, I had dreaded the moment when it would be all gone; but 
looking at myself in the mirror that night, I felt relief, peace, and 
acceptance. It was a moment of grace, and I thank God for that.
  In a matter of weeks, I would lose my eyelashes, eyebrows, and the 
rest of my hair and be diagnosed with alopecia universalis, one of 
three forms of alopecia.
  I am still coming to terms with my new alopecia reality and the 
impact of my traumatic hair loss. Every day, thanks to the support of 
my family, my staff, the broader alopecia community, and others who 
have experienced hair loss, I am making progress.
  I am making progress despite the hateful comments, the cruel and 
constant online harassment about my baldness, the intrusive and 
ignorant questions on the elevators, the unsolicited advice, and the 
stares, lots of stares.
  No doubt about it, a bald woman entering a room or entering the floor 
of the U.S. House of Representatives makes people uncomfortable. 
Visually, it challenges every antiquated cultural norm about what is 
professional, what is pretty, what is feminine.
  But in the loss, the hurt, and the ache of it all, I have never lost 
sight of the following: I am Sandy and Martin's daughter; I am Conan's 
wife; I am Cora's stepmom; and I am the Congresswoman for the 
Massachusetts Seventh Congressional District.
  Mr. Speaker, I am now bald, but I am in good health and in incredible 
company. I have received an outpouring of love from people across the 
globe who are living with alopecia.
  Early on, I received a note from an elementary school-aged girl with 
alopecia. She wanted to give me some tips in navigating this new 
normal. She told me about the first time she walked into school after 
her diagnosis, ``Just walk right up to your friends and tell them, `I'm 
still me,' '' she wrote.
  Who couldn't use a reminder like that as they navigate the world? 
Those little acts of kindness and solidarity have defined this 
experience, too.
  I am proud to be in the good company of those fighting for people 
living with alopecia. There is an entire community that has been 
working tirelessly to share their stories and to educate the public on 
the impact of alopecia areata.
  For three decades, the National Alopecia Areata Foundation has been 
working to garner congressional support for research and treatment 
development. My longtime friend and partner in good, Congressman 
McGovern, introduced legislation to allow medical wigs to be covered 
under the Medicare program so that every senior living with alopecia 
can afford wigs and other head coverings.
  This year, the House passed my amendment to provide an additional $5 
million in next year's funding for the National Institutes of Health, 
which

[[Page H4645]]

will fund research to increase our understanding of the causes, 
impacts, and possible treatments of alopecia areata.
  I know that our work is far from over, and I will continue to fight. 
I will take my seat at the table. I will take up space, and I will 
create it, too; and with this space, we will make change.
  Every single person deserves to show up in the world exactly as they 
are without fear or discrimination. To my fellow alopecians wherever 
you may be, today I bring our story to the floor of the people's House 
to say that we belong, our stories deserve to be heard, and we are 
absolutely beautiful and worthy.

                          ____________________