ELORA – Feeling inspired to make a difference for local women, a trio of local students are looking to put a dent into period poverty.
The 1 Box Initiative at Elora PS is taking donations of feminine hygiene products such as pads, tampons or new menstrual cups at the school to support GW Women in Crisis.
This was spearheaded by three Grade 8 students: Charlotte Warne, Morgan Gemmell and Gwen Casselli.
Charlotte explained the idea stems from a club called Students Create Change where those who want to make a positive difference in the community are encouraged to do so.
To coincide with International Women’s Day on March 8, the girls decided to try to raise awareness for period poverty, which is a lack of access or education on menstrual products due to financial or other reasons.
“Period poverty doesn’t get talked about a lot and I feel like it needs to be talked about more and it’s unfair for those who don’t have money to buy the stuff they need,” Morgan said.
“It isn’t a normalized conversation to have,” Charlotte added.
Michelle Youngblood, a teacher helping with the initiative, said the board has paid attention to this issue. She explained starting last February, the period poverty program launched at schools providing menstrual products for all students and staff access to them in washrooms.
This started in high schools but was expanded to include elementary schools with Grade 7 and 8 students.
“I think that the idea from the Upper Grand board is that everybody should have access to products that are a necessity and they aren’t a luxury item,” Youngblood said.
Youngblood said while this is a women’s issue, it should be supported by all and any student, family or community member is encouraged to participate in this initiative.
There is a box outside the main entrance at the school taking donations for community members who wish to make a donation. Youngblood thought to put it there as visitors aren’t able to enter the school and said she has already seen people dropping products off.
Charlotte and Morgan said GW Women in Crisis was chosen as the beneficiary so their efforts can help local women.
They are collecting menstrual products up to March 7 and will be giving the donation to the organization in the days following.
