In honor of Women’s History Month, the Feminist Student Union of Tahoma High School is holding a feminine hygiene drive! The drive is running from March 18-31. The group is accepting period products such as pads, liners, tampons, wipes, and hand sanitizers to help those in need. Donations can be dropped off at the large box outside the Tahoma Future Ready Center at any time within the window listed above.
Ava Keefe, a member of the Tahoma Feminist Student Union explains her passion behind joining the club and what the hygiene drive means to her. Keefe is a “proud feminist” looking to support and “advocate for a better future for all, but especially women’s issues” (Keefe). She explains that in learning that some feminine hygiene products including period supplies are considered luxury items, many people don’t have access to them. Through donations, this drive is helping people in the greater Seattle area and supporting their needs as women.
“Part of this drive is raising awareness, and advocating for everyone to have access to these products. They are an essential part of female hygiene, not a luxury.”
Just as Keefe explains, the Feminist Student Union is both supporting and advocating for women through this drive. Donated supplies are a huge element of this support and something that could be done by anyone.
“The supplies are going to a Seattle charity called P2T2, Pyramids of Pads and Towers of Tampons. They distribute period products to people in need, so lower income persons and the homeless. These people may have to use towels, toilet paper, or other unsanitary items to cope with a normal female process. But by donating, we can help everyone have access to essential sanitary hygiene products.”
The P2T2 collective has already raised over 700k pads and tampons and supported over 30,500 menstruators. Tahoma’s Feminist Student Union aims to support this mission with the help of generous donations from Tahoma students and staff.
While these donations are focused on helping the Seattle population, menstruators across the globe struggle with period poverty. The World Bank, an organization working to create a poverty-free planet has collected data on the lack of access worldwide:
“In total, an estimated 500 million lack access to menstrual products and adequate facilities for menstrual hygiene management (MHM)” (World Bank).
If you aren’t able to donate and/or would like to get more involved, come out and attend a Feminist Student Union meeting. The group meets every gold Monday during power hour A, in room 303. A typical meeting includes educational discussions, volunteering opportunities, and fun activities.
“I would say stop by! Come and hang out, and see if you like it. We are always looking for new members of all genders!” Keefe says.
For more information, you can join the Google Classroom; the code is y5rt4d3.
Time is running out so make sure to get those donations into the bin by the FRC by March 31!
