1 in 3 low-income women report missing work or school due to lack of access to period products
Junior League of New Orleans takes action to close the gap during Period Poverty Awareness Week
NEW ORLEANS – In recognition of Period Poverty Awareness Week May 20-28, Junior League of New Orleans (JLNO) is hosting a product drive Wednesday, May 22 from 10 a.m. until 5:30 p.m. Period poverty – a phrase used to describe the struggle low-income people who menstruate face when unable to afford menstrual products – affects one in three low-income people who report missing work, school or similar events due to lack of access to period supplies.
According to a study by U by Kotex®, 68% of people agree that period poverty is a public health issue yet only 4% of Americans are aware of a local resource where free or reduced cost period supplies are available. The study also showed that period poverty disproportionately impacts Black (23%) and Latina people (24%).
JLNO is asking the public’s support by donating new, unopened boxes of tampons or pads. Opened boxes will be accepted but supplies should still be in their original wrapping. Items can be dropped off to JLNO headquarters at 4319 Carondelet St. in New Orleans.
As an official Allied Program of the Alliance for Period Supplies, JLNO works year-round to distribute period supplies to those who are experiencing period poverty and takes an active role in civic engagement that can help end period poverty in Louisiana.
“Just like caregivers can’t go to work or attend school if babies can’t be in diapers at daycare, people who menstruate can’t go to school or work if they don’t have the supplies they need on a monthly basis,” says Ashley Cangelosi Llewellyn, JLNO president. “With state and federal safety-net programs excluding the purchase of period supplies, JLNO is stepping in to close the gap.”
Last year JLNO distributed more than 200,000 period products through a variety of community partnerships and to local schools.
“One in four teens in the U.S. have missed class due to lack of access to period supplies. And with Louisiana ranked 49th for women living in poverty, we need to raise awareness about period poverty and educate the community on the barriers facing people unable to afford supplies,” says Kendra Reade, JLNO period products chair. “Period supplies should be in public bathrooms with other necessary products like toilet paper and soap. It’s imperative that we support legislation to make period products available for free in schools.”
To help combat period poverty in our community, supporters are encouraged to join the movement and become an advocate to help #endperiodpoverty by asking your legislators to make period products accessible to all. Need period supplies? Visit Rosa F. Keller Public Library and Community Center or Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Library. To learn more about hosting a product drive or donating to the JLNO Diaper Bank, visit jlno.org/periodsupplies.
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About Junior League New Orleans
Junior League of New Orleans is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization committed to advancing women’s leadership for meaningful community impact through volunteer action, collaboration, and training. More information on the organization can be found at www.jlno.org
About Alliance for Period Supplies
The Alliance for Period Supplies is an initiative of the National Diaper Bank Network (NDBN)—a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that leads a nationwide movement aimed at helping individuals and families who struggle to afford material basic needs. Launched in May 2018, with the support of founding sponsor U by Kotex, the Alliance for Period Supplies raises national awareness of period poverty (#periodpoverty) and supports the development and expansion of period supply programs in communities throughout the country. The organization is comprised of Allied Programs that collect, warehouse and distribute menstrual/period supplies in local communities. More information on Alliance for Period Supplies is available at allianceforperiodsupplies.org, and on Twitter and Facebook.