mh²
Imagine being at school and being scared to go up and give a presentation to the class, or to participate in sports that day, or PE, or Theater because you’re scared that you might get your period that day and you don’t have supplies. Maybe it’s because you just forgot them that day, or maybe it’s your first and you weren’t expecting it, or maybe it’s because you simply can’t afford them. Imagine having that fear take over your thoughts and affect your ability to be present and engaged at school. Imagine that fear keeping you from even attending school during your period. Now I want you to imagine that you don’t actually have to imagine anything because this is real life. It happens every day, and it happens to the economically advantaged, economically disadvantaged, and everyone in between.
Did you know that 1 in 4 teens have actually missed school due to lack of access to menstrual products?
Lack of affordability and accessibility also causes many young women to use only one tampon per day or one pad for multiple days. When proper products are not available or affordable, women are often forced to use things like socks for instance or folded up paper towels. The lack of proper menstrual hygiene can lead to very serious health risks such as Toxic Shock Syndrome (a life-threatening illness), urinary tract infections, and even an elevated risk of cervical cancer. So that affordability and accessibility are no longer a roadblock to the health and wellness of our kids… our newest initiative is for them.
Access to menstrual products is a right. Feeling clean, confident, and capable during one’s period is a necessity. Being able to focus on your schoolwork, participate in class and school activities, and interact with your friends and peers without fear of humiliation or embarrassment is a right. And not having to miss school because you can’t afford basic necessities is a right, not a privilege.
Of all the things that teenage girls have to worry about, why is this still one of them? So, we decided to do something about it.
Last school year, we launched biggest initiative to date… the Menstrual Health & Hygiene Initiative. Or for all those guys out… the mh² initiative. We put a tampon and pad dispenser in every girl’s bathroom and locker room at all LTISD middle school campuses. And we aren’t talking those coin operated ones you see in those questionable gas station bathrooms. We’re talking free and immediate access to tampons and pads at all LTISD middle schools so when they need them… they’re 30 seconds away in the nearest bathroom. With funds brought in last year from generous donations like yours, we were able to provide all the dispensers, and all the product (and back stock) for the program. And come the start of this next school year… they will be in every bathroom and locker room at the HS as well.
We have partnered with Aunt Flow to fulfill our product needs. Aunt Flow is a woman owned company which started because of a similar situation I listed above. Aunt Flow products are made of 100% organic cotton and nothing else. Unlike some of the other leading products on the market, their products are not bleached with chlorine, and they contain no synthetics, dyes, perfumes, or other chemicals. Just 100% organic cotton. And they are FDA approved and degradable.