Accessibility for women during their periods is lacking in public places like schools. Women must remember to pack pads and tampons because they never know where their closest CVS or Walgreens will be. Many people don't pay attention to periods, but young women have no choice. Girls lack appropriate items and are not given the necessary self-care instruction because periods are such a taboo. Period poverty is one of the worst healthcare issues facing our nation, and starting small is how we implement change. At my school, I created a chapter of GirlUp, an organization founded by the United Nations to unite girls, educate them, and provide opportunities. A thought occurred to me. At my school, there was no access to period products in the restrooms; instead, you had to go to the clinic to receive them. Walking to the clinic when you may be leaking or facing other challenges feels inconvenient. I wanted to alter that and create more accessibility, so I did. Seven out of the campus' eleven restrooms now have period dispensers thanks to my collaboration with a group of students. We worked with an organization, got our school to purchase a year's supply, and now we fundraise to fund more products that go into these dispensers. All items were gone after the first week, and we continuously fill up the campus with organic tampons and pads every two weeks to the present day. Along with installing these goods, I organize drives for low-income women in our community to receive period supplies. I called it “The Period Project”. We donate products to various women's shelters and we host one drive per semester. So far, we have raised about $400 in supplies and donated to 2 different shelters in the area. Students have developed a fascination for it, and talking about periods has grown more commonplace. Girls are aware that there is always a restroom next to their classroom with a dispenser. This creates a security blanket for all girls at my school, including myself. Hopefully, this small action at my school will spark larger reforms throughout our school district, county, state, and nation. As a society, we must aim to make period products accessible, affordable, and one day free.

Accessibility for women during their periods is lacking in public places like schools. Women must remember to pack pads and tampons because they never know where their closest CVS or Walgreens will be. Many people don't pay attention to periods, but young women have no choice. Girls lack appropriate items and are not given the necessary self-care instruction because periods are such a taboo. Period poverty is one of the worst healthcare issues facing our nation, and starting small is how we implement change. At my school, I created a chapter of GirlUp, an organization founded by the United Nations to unite girls, educate them, and provide opportunities. A thought occurred to me. At my school, there was no access to period products in the restrooms; instead, you had to go to the clinic to receive them. Walking to the clinic when you may be leaking or facing other challenges feels inconvenient. I wanted to alter that and create more accessibility, so I did. Seven out of the campus' eleven restrooms now have period dispensers thanks to my collaboration with a group of students. We worked with an organization, got our school to purchase a year's supply, and now we fundraise to fund more products that go into these dispensers. All items were gone after the first week, and we continuously fill up the campus with organic tampons and pads every two weeks to the present day. Along with installing these goods, I organize drives for low-income women in our community to receive period supplies. I called it “The Period Project”. We donate products to various women's shelters and we host one drive per semester. So far, we have raised about $400 in supplies and donated to 2 different shelters in the area. Students have developed a fascination for it, and talking about periods has grown more commonplace. Girls are aware that there is always a restroom next to their classroom with a dispenser. This creates a security blanket for all girls at my school, including myself. Hopefully, this small action at my school will spark larger reforms throughout our school district, county, state, and nation. As a society, we must aim to make period products accessible, affordable, and one day free.