🩸Periods are gross. Periods are embarrassing. Periods are dirty. These are the things we hear about our periods that continue to silence us and prevent us from accessing period supplies—a basic necessity. Unlike food and shelter, access to period supplies are often ignored or deemed simply not important.

One in four women struggle to buy period supplies and transgender and gender non-conforming struggle even more to buy period supplies. Even though the supplies are a basic necessity, state and federal safety-net programs cannot be used to purchase them.

As low-income and working class individuals and families face increased economic difficulties, period supplies can be among the first items crossed off on the shopping list. These basic necessities become optional for those who need to cut corners to make ends meet.

South Queens Women’s March is a gender justice organization that advocates for the equity for women and gender non-conforming folks in South Queens. Since the beginning of the COVID 19 pandemic, we have provided period supplies for those in need, shed light on the stigma and resulting misinformation, and fostered a movement to end the silence and biases about periods.

You can play a pivotal role in helping us do this. You can donate to our period supply drive to ensure access to those who are in need. You can also share our period supply drive and information with your friends and family. If you believe everyone has a right to feel comfortable, clean, and participate fully in daily life, join our PERIOD MOVEMENT.

This project was originally conceived of by Dr. Tannuja Rozario for South Queens Women’s March.