Melanie Sutrathada highlights an important issue that affects many girls across the country - period poverty..jpg

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Nearly 1 in 5 American girls have either missed school or left early because they didn’t have access to the products they needed to manage their periods.

One of the most phenomenal aspects of this platform is the opportunity to partner with companies that so wholeheartedly represent the causes I believe in. That’s why I’m collaborating with Always to end period poverty, an important issue that affects many girls across the country. Always is on a mission to help ensure no girl in the U.S. misses school and loses confidence because she doesn’t have access to essentials like period protection. Did you know that nearly 1 in 5 American girls have either missed school or left early because they didn’t have access to the products they needed to manage their periods? I was floored to hear this statistic because we so commonly associate lack of access to everyday essentials like period products with those in third-world countries opposed to those in our backyard. Period poverty isn’t just someone else’s problem though - it’s happening right here! I mean - just look at that stat. 1 in 5? How can we raise a generation of strong young women if we don’t provide them with the necessary tools to succeed? We have to be able to do better than that. Karen O’Connell, a food pantry facilitator said, “Girls in our schools have a great need for period products. Currently, in the schools, the means for them to get those is usually on an emergency, immediate-need basis and they have to go to the district nurse.”

One of the worst parts of period poverty is that it causes girls not only to miss out during classes, but also costs them the opportunities to learn, grow and build confidence while in and out of the classroom. Lack of access to period protection is the beginning of a really vicious and awful cycle from missing classes and getting behind in school work and missing out on activities, like sports and clubs (I started playing soccer competitively when I was 12 and don’t know who I’d be if I missed out on my favorite sport in the world). These types of activities make such a difference in building a girl’s confidence and skills, and missing out can really limit their potential and opportunities as they get older. “There’s so much shame associated with it. Young girls are just figuring out that they’re experiencing puberty so having to approach an authoritative figure to get access to period products is out of the question,” said Adelaide Young, an Always Donation Program volunteer.

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“If you just offer feminine care products, the shame goes away. That’s one of the most powerful things.”

That’s why I was so excited to partner with Always on their #EndPeriodPoverty campaign. Not only have they been starting conversations all over the country in order to break the stigmas surrounding periods, but they also announced that every purchase of Always from now until September 8th will trigger a donation of product to girls in need. Just look at the rows of period products lining the shelves in the photo above - seeing the pantries of New York City’s Feeding America fully stocked with Always products made my heart soar!

Join the conversation and help us end the stigma around periods and lack of access so girls who need products are confident enough to speak up. Want to get involved right now? Go to your local store and purchase a pack of Always pads! Take it a step further and share it on social media, tagging @Always (@Always_Brand on Insta) and using the hashtag #EndPeriodPoverty to help raise awareness Together, we can be part of the solution!