It’s Women’s History Month, and with that in their minds, students at Madison East High School are conducting their second period product campaign.
The kids, part of the school’s Girls Inc. club, are distributing free period products that are not readily available at the school.
Last year, they distributed 1,300 period products. This year, with a grant awarded by the SASY Neighborhood Association, they’re distributing more and working with school administrators to create systems that better treat menstruating people. They’re also eager to begin distributing them beyond school grounds.
The work to distribute free period products locally is being done, in part, by Girls Inc. of Greater Madison. Located in the Goodman Center, and part of a national organization that develops education programs that encourage girls, Girls Inc. is helping the Madison East students and hopes to expand programs to other schools. North of Madison, Baraboo High School is also now offering them free of charge as part of a Period Positivity Project.
Right now, neither FoodShare (food stamps) nor WIC benefits cover menstrual products. Some lawmakers are trying to pass a bill that would put free feminine hygiene products in state, local, and school buildings.
Get involved
Tampons and sanitary napkins can be donated at the Goodman Community Center’s front desk (149 Waubesa St.) and the Atwood Chocolate Shoppe (2322 Atwood Ave.).
Find free period products in Madison
- City of Madison governmental building restrooms
- Dane County governmental building restrooms
- Public Health Madison and Dane County’s office
- State Capitol building and state-owned office building restrooms
- UW-Madison locations, care of the Badger Period Project
