Students combat ‘period poverty’
Drive raises funds to meet one of women’s most basic needs
GREENWICH — For women in poverty, the start of their period means jerry-rigging shelter-provided pads into tampons. And failing that, when they do not have supplies, turning to socks, clothes, rags or plastic bags.
When Sacred Heart Greenwich sophomore Caroline Guza and her older sister Stephanie realized what poor women are forced to do, they decided to help. Last week, the girls raised money and purchased period products, which they assembled into care packages Wednesday that they will donate to area shelters.
“We want to show other girls that it’s important to help women in need because we are women,” Caroline said. “This is something every woman goes through.”
First, the students had to educate people about “period poverty.” “It was surprising,” Caroline said. “No one talks about it. There’s a stigma that it’s embarrassing to talk about it.”
They gave a presentation at school on “period poverty” and how common it is before they held the one-day
fundraiser last Friday. They encouraged fellow students to dress down and bring $5 in exchange for a sticker.
The girls raised $950, which they used to purchase Tampax and Always brand super tampons, regular tampons, night time pads, ultra-light pads and maxi pads from Costco.
On Wednesday, the Guzas recruited some friends to make period kits that they will distribute to Inspirica in Stamford, Providence House in New Rochelle, N.Y., and at Person to Person and Neighbor to Neighbor.
Tampons are just as necessary as food, Caroline said.
“It’s not something that women should be facing,” she said
The tipping point for Caroline was seeing the alternatives — the plastic bags and rags that women are sometimes forced to use — and the health dangers associated with these.
“It was really heartbreaking to see what products they turn to,” she said.
The fundraiser came about through their participation in LiveGirl, a nonprofit based in New Canaan. Founded in 2014, the organization aims to empower and equip the next generation of female leaders through yearround leadership development and mentoring for girls from fifth through 12th grades.
Stephanie and Caroline entered a #GirlBoss contest, hosted by LiveGirl, with an idea to change the world, and was one of the groups that won. In March, they spoke to a panel of influential women: author Alyson Gerber, Rand Insurance President Barbara Stevens, Picture That art consultants founder Valerie A. Cooper, and Making Authentic Friendships founder Juliana Fetherman.
These women encouraged the girls to move forward with the period poverty fundraiser, the first ever for Sacred Heart.
Their efforts have been met with support from teachers as well as strangers.
“When we were out buying, this woman came up to us and said, ‘This is such a new thing to do. It’s so great that you’re willing to do this for other women who are in need,’” Caroline said.