For the YWCA Stand Against Racism 21 Day Challenge, I read an article about “period poverty.” The article was about the barriers menstruation caused young women who can’t afford pads and tampons. The number of missed school days due to lack of feminine protection was staggering and discouraging.
On the positive side, schools are starting to do something about it. At St. John’s we have collected hygiene products for YSU and a local elementary school for several years. It was a bit of a learning curve. The first year one of our older gentlemen showed up with 100 pads, legal pads of paper.
There are schools who are putting free vending machines in their bathrooms so girls can get what they need. There is no reason to beg or be ashamed, or to be shamed. All biological females have a period for most of their lives. We should be more organized about this.
I was discussing the problem with one of our parish members, and she was stunned at the number of obvious solutions that would solve this problem. We shook our heads. But as I was driving back to the church it struck me that some life complications are pretty simple to take care of, we just have to pay attention, have some compassion and believe we can make a difference.
Don’t let anyone put a damper on your goodness and generosity. It is easy to get distracted or overwhelmed. Easy to think it is all too much. But in fact you can make a significant difference in people’s lives. Don’t let anyone tell you otherwise!
Your goodness makes the world a better and more hopeful place. Thank you for all you do!