Appleton Mayor Jake Woodford Issues Proclamation Recognizing Menstrual Health Awareness Month and The Monthlies Project
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Appleton Mayor Jake Woodford Issues Proclamation Recognizing Menstrual Health Awareness Month and The Monthlies Project
Mayor’s proclamation comes on the heels of community-wide volunteer event at Feeding America Eastern Wisconsin supporting 2,000 young menstruators this summer
APPLETON, Wis. (May 18, 2026) — In recognition of Menstrual Health Awareness Month and Period Poverty Awareness Week, Appleton Mayor Jake Woodford has issued a formal proclamation highlighting the importance of menstrual health equity and acknowledging The Monthlies Project’s work to combat period poverty in Northeast Wisconsin.
The proclamation serves as a step toward normalizing conversations surrounding menstruation while affirming the dignity of individuals impacted by limited access to menstrual products.
“Access to menstrual health products is essential to the dignity, health and well-being of the kids in our community,” said Appleton Mayor Jake Woodford. “During Menstrual Health Awareness Month and Period Poverty Awareness Week, we recognize the importance of organizations like The Monthlies Project that are working to remove barriers and support young people by ensuring they have access to the basic necessities needed to thrive.”
Period poverty affects thousands of young people across Northeast Wisconsin, limiting their ability to attend school, participate in activities and feel confident in their daily lives, particularly during the summer months when school-based resources may not be available. The issue of period poverty remains especially relevant in Wisconsin, which is among the states that still applies sales tax to menstrual products.
The need for menstrual health support continues to grow nationwide. According to recent research, nearly one in four students in the United States struggle to afford period products, while 39 percent of teens report being unable to do their best schoolwork due to lack of access to menstrual supplies. In addition to the financial barriers, nearly six in ten teens say they are personally affected by the stigma and negative associations surrounding menstruation.
For the second consecutive year, The Monthlies Project mobilized volunteers to pack 2,000 backpacks filled with tampons, pads, liners and other essential menstrual health supplies for young menstruators across the region at Feeding America Eastern Wisconsin. The backpacks are distributed at the end of the school year to help ensure students have access to products throughout the summer at no cost.
“Period poverty is not just a hygiene issue. It’s a barrier to health and education,” said Liz Wollenberg, co-founder of The Monthlies Project and Chief Systems and Strategy Officer at Feeding America Eastern Wisconsin. “This proclamation helps bring visibility to a challenge that too many young people quietly navigate every day. We’re grateful to see our community continuing to step forward with compassion and action to ensure young menstruators across Northeast Wisconsin have access to the essential products they need with dignity.”
The Mayor’s Proclamation underscores the growing recognition of period poverty as both a public health and equity issue in Northeast Wisconsin.
In addition to the proclamation and summer backpack initiative, The Monthlies Project is also proud to announce an expanded partnership with The Hub at United Way Fox Cities. Beginning in June, The Hub will serve as the central distribution center for menstrual health products provided through The Monthlies Project, increasing accessibility and streamlining support efforts throughout the region.
“We are excited to expand our partnership with The Monthlies Project and help strengthen access to essential menstrual health products across our community,” said Wendy Krueger, Chief Operations Officer of United Way Fox Cities. “By serving as a distribution center through The Hub, we can help ensure more young menstruators receive the support they need.”
The Monthlies Project continues to work alongside schools, nonprofits, community organizations and volunteers to remove barriers caused by period poverty and create equitable access to menstrual health supplies for all.
For more information about The Monthlies Project, to volunteer, or to support its mission, visit www.monthliesproject.com.
ABOUT THE MONTHLIES PROJECT:
The Monthlies Project is a community initiative aimed at providing menstrual health products to school-aged students in Northeast Wisconsin and bringing awareness to the issue of period poverty and the educational inequity it creates. For more information about The Monthlies Project, ways to support its mission, volunteer opportunities or upcoming community initiatives, visit www.monthliesproject.com. Community members are also encouraged to follow The Monthlies Project on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn to stay up to date on events, advocacy efforts and opportunities to get involved in the fight against period poverty across Northeast Wisconsin.
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Connect with The Monthlies Project
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.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Appleton Mayor Jake Woodford Issues Proclamation Recognizing Menstrual Health Awareness Month and The Monthlies Project
Mayor’s proclamation comes on the heels of community-wide volunteer event at Feeding America Eastern Wisconsin supporting 2,000 young menstruators this summer
APPLETON, Wis. (May 18, 2026) — In recognition of Menstrual Health Awareness Month and Period Poverty Awareness Week, Appleton Mayor Jake Woodford has issued a formal proclamation highlighting the importance of menstrual health equity and acknowledging The Monthlies Project’s work to combat period poverty in Northeast Wisconsin.
The proclamation serves as a step toward normalizing conversations surrounding menstruation while affirming the dignity of individuals impacted by limited access to menstrual products.
“Access to menstrual health products is essential to the dignity, health and well-being of the kids in our community,” said Appleton Mayor Jake Woodford. “During Menstrual Health Awareness Month and Period Poverty Awareness Week, we recognize the importance of organizations like The Monthlies Project that are working to remove barriers and support young people by ensuring they have access to the basic necessities needed to thrive.”
Period poverty affects thousands of young people across Northeast Wisconsin, limiting their ability to attend school, participate in activities and feel confident in their daily lives, particularly during the summer months when school-based resources may not be available. The issue of period poverty remains especially relevant in Wisconsin, which is among the states that still applies sales tax to menstrual products.
The need for menstrual health support continues to grow nationwide. According to recent research, nearly one in four students in the United States struggle to afford period products, while 39 percent of teens report being unable to do their best schoolwork due to lack of access to menstrual supplies. In addition to the financial barriers, nearly six in ten teens say they are personally affected by the stigma and negative associations surrounding menstruation.
For the second consecutive year, The Monthlies Project mobilized volunteers to pack 2,000 backpacks filled with tampons, pads, liners and other essential menstrual health supplies for young menstruators across the region at Feeding America Eastern Wisconsin. The backpacks are distributed at the end of the school year to help ensure students have access to products throughout the summer at no cost.
“Period poverty is not just a hygiene issue. It’s a barrier to health and education,” said Liz Wollenberg, co-founder of The Monthlies Project and Chief Systems and Strategy Officer at Feeding America Eastern Wisconsin. “This proclamation helps bring visibility to a challenge that too many young people quietly navigate every day. We’re grateful to see our community continuing to step forward with compassion and action to ensure young menstruators across Northeast Wisconsin have access to the essential products they need with dignity.”
The Mayor’s Proclamation underscores the growing recognition of period poverty as both a public health and equity issue in Northeast Wisconsin.
In addition to the proclamation and summer backpack initiative, The Monthlies Project is also proud to announce an expanded partnership with The Hub at United Way Fox Cities. Beginning in June, The Hub will serve as the central distribution center for menstrual health products provided through The Monthlies Project, increasing accessibility and streamlining support efforts throughout the region.
“We are excited to expand our partnership with The Monthlies Project and help strengthen access to essential menstrual health products across our community,” said Wendy Krueger, Chief Operations Officer of United Way Fox Cities. “By serving as a distribution center through The Hub, we can help ensure more young menstruators receive the support they need.”
The Monthlies Project continues to work alongside schools, nonprofits, community organizations and volunteers to remove barriers caused by period poverty and create equitable access to menstrual health supplies for all.
For more information about The Monthlies Project, to volunteer, or to support its mission, visit www.monthliesproject.com.
ABOUT THE MONTHLIES PROJECT:
The Monthlies Project is a community initiative aimed at providing menstrual health products to school-aged students in Northeast Wisconsin and bringing awareness to the issue of period poverty and the educational inequity it creates. For more information about The Monthlies Project, ways to support its mission, volunteer opportunities or upcoming community initiatives, visit www.monthliesproject.com. Community members are also encouraged to follow The Monthlies Project on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn to stay up to date on events, advocacy efforts and opportunities to get involved in the fight against period poverty across Northeast Wisconsin.
###
Connect with The Monthlies Project
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.