Letter to the Editor: Michigan Legislature Must Deal With “Period Poverty”

by Lysne Tait

Anyone who has had a period knows that sinking feeling in the pit of your stomach when you don’t have the products you need when you need them.  Being a teen is already hard enough, but lack of menstrual products shouldn’t add to that stress. 

According to the State of the Period 2023 Study, nearly 1 in 4 students in the United States have experienced period poverty—the limited or inadequate access to menstrual products or menstrual health education. Additionally, 40% of teens have worn period products longer than recommended. 

Stigmatization, lack of education, and excess taxation aside—not having menstrual products readily available in a school setting, regardless if one can afford them or not, interrupts students’ ability to learn. 

The solution? Make period products as available as toilet paper in school restrooms. Only 25 states and Washington D.C.have passed legislation to help students have free access to period products. 

We’re calling on Michigan state legislators to address period poverty for students by passing legislation that requires menstrual products be free and accessible in our schools.

This Saturday, October 14^th at noon, we’re taking action against period poverty and stigma by holding an event at the MSU Student union. The MI-Period Action Coalition  will be speaking with legislators and writing postcards. Please stop by for cupcakes and advocacy!