More Than A Magazine, A Movement
I mailed unused Lunapads and Thinx menstrual underwear to Dr. Graham Peaslee, a nuclear scientist at the University of Notre Dame who discovered PFAS chemicals in fast-food wrappers in 2017, and his undergraduate student assistant Robert Bartsch. The results are in, and I’m afraid it’s bad news.
“Pandora’s Box” is a documentary that takes us from Maasai villages to Mumbai, from London to Manhattan—and in each community, we meet people who were deprived of their dignity, opportunities and their voices because they began to bleed. Three of the women who helped tell the story talked to Ms. at the film’s premiere about what they’ve learned from the movement—and the movie.
Unlike almost every other period tracking app, Euki does not store any user data in the cloud.
Along with many of the women I was incarcerated with, I used my own homemade products rather than beg for more from an unconcerned correctional officer or risk bleeding through my clothes. As a result of my creativity to survive with some modicum of dignity, I ended up needing a hysterectomy when I got home.
We must ensure that all people have equitable access to menstrual products—whether access is out of reach because of poverty, homelessness or incarceration.
The I AM Bill would provide free menstrual products at all homeless shelters, prisons and public schools throughout the Bay State.
Happy EnvironMenstrual Week! Women’s Voices for the Earth and Women’s Environmental Network are celebrating on social media by sharing conversations about menstrual equity, period positive actions happening across the globe and great tips and resources to help take on toxic chemicals in period products.
At the border right now, there’s no solace for young teens who might know little about what’s happening to their bodies—yet have to summon the courage to tell a male guard and ask for pads, only to be denied or given too few to matter. Or have to manage their periods in over-crowded rooms where privacy is scant. And aren’t even able to shower or wash hands or scrub clean stained underwear.
Knowing and having access to all the possibilities for dealing with periods is a matter of comfort and improved sanitation, and a means for achieving body integrity and increased opportunity. Menstruating individuals deserve choices—so let’s unpack them!
“We know what’s in the food we eat, the medicine we take and the clothes we wear. The millions of consumers in New York have an absolute right to also know what’s in our menstrual products.”