Period Action Day w/CIC | Graphic by Rose Taylor| The Wright State Guardian
On Tuesday, Oct. 15, the Women’s Center celebrated Period Action Day, which occurs every second Saturday in October. Students came together to sew reusable menstrual pads, learn about period poverty, and discuss their own period experiences in a non-judgmental space.
Period Action Day
This year saw the first Period Action Day event hosted by the Women’s Center, which proved to be a success.The event was open to anyone interested in learning about and combatting period poverty.
Students were provided supplies to make their own cloth menstrual pads, a sustainable alternative to store-bought pads. Much of the sewing became mindless and repetitive with practice, enabling participants to make conversation as they worked.
Strewn on the many tables were sewing supplies, informational flyers about period poverty, chocolates, markers and an easel pad asking, “What is your period story?”
One table contained stacks of menstrual pads, tampons and liners for students to take. All participants were entered in a raffle for on-theme items like heating pads and fuzzy socks.
Event organizers made their own reusable pads, lent students their sewing expertise and distributed facts on period poverty. Among them was Bobbie Szabo, Assistant Director of the Women’s Center.
“I’m really pleased with the engagement for our first Period Action Day,” Szabo stated.
She explained that the event’s purpose had been to start a conversation about period poverty. As such, the active role students took in discussing, destigmatizing and connecting over this issue makes her hopeful for the future of this event.
“We can only grow from here,” said Szabo.
Providing for women
The event featured a table by Providing for Women, a nonprofit women’s organization based in Xenia, Ohio. Their representative, Lisa Jordan, was happy to answer students’ questions about period poverty and how Providing for Women works to relieve it.
According to their website, Providing for Women is on a mission to, “... provide free menstrual hygiene products to women and girls struggling financially in Greene County Ohio.”
The aptly named Providing for Women provides menstrual and incontinence products to food pantries across Greene County, including Greene County FISH Pantry, Fairborn FISH Food Pantry and Bellbrook-Sugarcreek Community Support Center. They have also partnered with Dayton Foodbank’s mobile pantries.
“We make sure that we get the product into the hands of the people who need it,” Jordan stated.
She explained her personal motivation for doing this work after realizing what homeless and low-income women suffer without access to menstrual hygiene products.
“I thought, ‘I’ve got to do something,’” said Jordan.
For students who feel this urge to take action, Providing for Women is seeking volunteers. Those interested can call 937-532-4352, email providing4women@gmail.com or visit the Providing for Women website to learn more.
Period poverty for students
Period poverty refers to insufficient access to menstrual supplies and education, and it is a critical issue for students.
According to the THINX website, “nearly a quarter of all students” in the United States suffer from period poverty. This is disproportionately true for lower-income and students of color.
This data is reflected in Szabo’s everyday observations at the Women’s Center. “Students come to my office daily to get menstrual pads,” she said, citing several explanations students commonly give. Among these are accessibility and affordability.
Szabo explained the negative impact of period poverty on students’ academic performance: “Lack of access to pads, tampons, and menstrual cups creates a barrier to learning.”
She expressed a hope that this event would induce a larger movement on campus to equitably, and consistently supply menstrual products to anyone who needs them.
Upcoming events from the Women’s Center include The Real Witches on Oct. 29 and a poetry workshop on Nov. 8. Those interested can follow them on Engage and/or Instagram @womenscenterwsu for more information.
