The More You Know
The distribution and subsequent availability of menstrual health products is a just one of the many issues related to menstrual equity that Helping Women Period supports. Please find resources below regarding international, national and local organizations, articles, and other resources on the subject. This is by no means a comprehensive list. Check back for additional updates and new categories to address menstrual health in regards to the transgender population, immigrant/refugee population, the homeless and other related topics.
International
Around the world, on any given day, more than 800 million people are menstruating. And at least five million of those lack adequate resources-including supplies, education, and facilities-for managing their periods.
- Society for Menstrual Cycle Research
- Every Woman’s Right to Hygiene and Sanitation
- Launch Pad: How An Indian Engineer Reversed-Engineered the Making of Sanitary Pads
- The Unlikley Sanitary Pad Missionary
- Banana Pads in Rwanda
- http://www.zanaafrica.org/
- https://www.afripads.com/
- https://www.thecup.org/
- https://www.daysforgirls.org
- 25 Years: Progress on Sanitation and Drinking Water (UNICEF)
National
In our own country, we have some work to do. Menstrual health products are ineligible for purchases made with public benefits (WIC or SNAP), they are not readily available in our public spaces such as schools, workplaces or government buildings, not exempt from sales tax, and not available in shelters, crisis centers, jails or prisons. However, progress is being made on a variety of fronts.
- Alliance for Period Supplies
- #Happy Period
- Helping Girls and Women, Period (NYT)
- The Case for Free Tampons (The Guardian)
- For Homeless Women, Getting Their Period Is One Of The Most Difficult Challenges (Huffington Post)
- Hygiene and heartache: Homeless women’s daily struggle to keep clean (Al Jazeera)
- Women in Federal Prison to Get Tampons and Pads
- NJ Period Project (New Jersey)
- She Supply (Texas)
- The Period Collective (Chicago, IL)
- Distributing Dignity (National)
- Menstrual Cycles and Mental Health
Michigan
Helping Women Period is not the only organization or group focusing on providing menstrual health products to people. Please see the other organizations below and be sure to remain informed on current legislation impacting sales tax on these products.
2018 Impact Report
Would you like to learn more about the true scope of Helping Women Period? This story is beautifully displayed in our 2018 Impact Report. We would like to thank MoonSail North for their incredible collaboration and execution. Please click on the thumbnail to enjoy!
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Final City of Lansing Mobile Food Pantry Distribution
Thank you to all our volunteers who supported the 12 distributions held throughout the city of Lansing this past year. In rain, snow, or sun, you showed up and distributed with a smile. Below are some recent photos from the December distribution (scroll to see all of them). We could not support this monthly […]
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How Can I Do This In My Area?
“Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery” Oscar Wilde We aim to reduce menstrual stigma and increase access to the product throughout the country (and the world), not just here in mid-Michigan. On a weekly basis, we receive inquiries from folks around the country who are interested in recreating what we do here at Helping […]
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We love our volunteers!
On December 3, we held a Volunteer Appreciation Brunch. It was a time for us to take a few moments to express our appreciation for the many roles our volunteers fill in order to make HWP run smoothly. It was also a time for the volunteers to meet and greet each other. We are thankful […]
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WLNS “Tell Me Something Good”
Chivon Kloepfer of WLNS met with Lysne and Amy to learn more about the need for menstrual products in the community . View Chivon’s report below.
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#GivingTuesday: 15 for 15
Do you recall what it was like to be 15 and start your period at school (or 12 for that matter)? Raising your hand in class, walking down the hallway, and totally forgetting what you were just learning? HWP has launched its annual #GivingTuesday campaign, focused on raising funds to install 15 free vending […]
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Winners of Caring About Women Locally Award!
Amy Stephenson and Lysne Tait, co-founders of Helping Women Period, received the “Caring About Women Locally” award at the Inspiration and Influence Awards ceremony on October 18, 2018. These awards are presented by Capital Area Women’s LifeStyle Magazine (CAWLM) and the Aitch Foundation to celebrate women in the mid-Michigan area and to recognize women who […]
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Sew Much More!
Sew Much More! is a group of sewers and non-sewers that gather to construct bags that are filled with menstrual products by Helping Women Period (HWP) and distributed to those in need. The group generally meets one a month at Okemos Community Church. Everyone is welcome — no prior experience is necessary. In […]
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Inaugural Menstrual Education Workshop (and Beyond)
On Friday, July 13, HWP co-director Lysne Tait and Be A Rose founder Christine Mwangi conducted a menstrual health workshop for 13 teenage participants at theRefugee Development Centerin Lansing. The workshop was filled with lively conversation and excellent questions. Also, each participant received a month supply of product. The workshop was such a success, they […]
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August Volunteer Events
If you are interested in assisting us, see the exciting events below! August Mobile Food Pantry–we have a canopy to protect you from the sun! Saturday, August 18 9:00 – Noon Location: TBD August Connect 4 Kids Monday, August 20 9:30 – 2:00 p.m. (Set up earlier) Lansing Center 333 E. Michigan Avenue General […]
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