The Monthlies Project
The Monthlies Project is a community initiative providing menstrual health products to school-aged students and bringing awareness to the issue of period poverty and the educational inequity it creates.
"With not even a full 4 days of school under out belts, having the leggings and underwear at school has kept at least 3 students in school. Thanks again for all you do!"
— Appleton Area School District
Lack of menstrual health products contributes to a growing issue —
period poverty.
Not only does period poverty negatively impact physical, mental, and emotional health, it can create a barrier to equal opportunity in education. Lack of access to menstrual health products can cause students with periods to miss or be late to class or feel anxious about period care. Chronic absenteeism affects achievement in school and leads to educational inequity.
The Monthlies Fund within the Women’s Fund for the Fox Valley Region, will be a resource to schools and community programs in Northeast Wisconsin to access menstrual health products. Programs can apply for menstrual health products and/or support for product distribution.
SAVE THE DATE
October 12, 2023
Join us for our second annual event at Poplar Hall in Appleton
HELP END PERIOD POVERTY.
PERIOD POVERTY IN OUR SCHOOLS
Chronic absenteeism affects achievement in schools, leading to educational inequity.
of young menstruators in school reported to have personally known someone who missed class due to lack of access to menstrual health products
of teens report they don't want to be at school during their period due to shame and self-consciousness
(De La Rose 2019, Smith and Straus 2019)
PERIOD POVERTY IN OUR COMMUNITY
Public assistance programs are not permitted to be used to purchase menstrual health products leading to economic inequity.
Lack of access to menstrual health products can cause students with periods to miss or be late to class or feel anxious about period care. Unfortunately, other public assistance programs designed to help those facing financial hardships, such as SNAP and WIC, are not permitted to be used to purchase menstrual health products.
average amount a menstruator spends on products
($160/year)
average spent over the reproductive lifespan of menstruators from ages 12–52
(Sadlier 2019)
About The Monthlies Project
The Monthlies Project is a community initiative aimed at providing menstrual health products to school-aged students and bringing awareness to the issue of period poverty and the educational inequity it creates. The Monthlies Fund, within the Women’s Fund for the Fox Valley Region, will be a resource to schools and community programs in Northeast Wisconsin and products are sourced through a number of local community partners.