MENSTRUAL EQUITY IS POSSIBLE WITH PERIOD.
Photos and Writing by Shane Petrus
PERIOD is a national movement working towards providing free menstrual products to those in need, while also working to spread awareness about the stigma and lack of equity for menstruators. There are chapters at universities all across the United States, but for the chapter at Washington State University, it is the groundwork of chapter president Aydan Miner, and her team, that are making waves throughout Whitman County, and the state of Washington.
My photo essay depicts the numerous ways that PERIOD at WSU is working towards upholding equitable access to menstrual hygiene, whether it be through donation drives, packing parties, or chapter meetings. I followed Aydan and her members for two weeks, capturing moments that best showcase the work that the organization pushes for.
Chapter President Aydan Miner presents a presentation in PERIOD at WSU’s weekly meeting. She starts off every meeting by providing a unique fact to her members, with this one reading “1 in 4 low income menstruators in the U.S. lack access to proper menstrual products”. Miner says that she seeks to make every meeting as impactful as possible, and even presents other social justice initiatives to help members be more aware.
Miner is shown speaking with the Local Policy Committee members of PERIOD at WSU, where they discuss how they can improve menstrual equity and accessibility in Whitman County. Each meeting, Miner meets with Local and State Committees to provide assistance, guidance, or knowledge.
Miner is pictured standing in front of an aisle of menstrual hygiene products at Walmart. Miner and Branch had to purchase a certain amount of products to add onto the other donations that were collected through campus-wide drives. The two had purchased over $100 worth of menstrual products, and would eventually be used in their packing party.
Stacks of menstrual hygiene pads sits along a production line filled with a mix of tampons and other pad selections, which are then packaged in paper bags. The entire membership of PERIOD at WSU are invited, as well as the general public, to assist in packing hundreds of kits to be donated to low income menstruators in Spokane, Washington.
Chapter President Aydan Miner and Vice President Alexa Branch visit the Walmart in Pullman, Washington to purchase additional menstrual products to be included in their packing party. PERIOD at WSU is able to purchase such products through monetary donations, or on-campus fundraising. Miner and Branch make trips to stores to increase their amount of product to donate, providing more access to menstruators.
Hundreds of packaged menstrual products are ready to be packed and sent off to menstruators in need in Spokane, Washington. Each individual package contains menstrual pads and tampons, and is stamped with the official PERIOD logo. PERIOD at WSU dedicates events to which the members and general public can join and help. All products that were packaged were either obtained through campus-wide donation drives, or through purchases made by the organization.
Friends and members of PERIOD at WSU making an assembly line to package menstrual products.
WSU Residence Hall Association advisor Andrew Beck is meeting with Chapter President Aydan Miner (not pictured), Vice President Alexa Branch (not pictured), Social Media Coordinator Leo Orozco, and PERIOD at WSU coordinated the meeting, focusing on providing free menstrual products to students living in residence halls.
Stapled PERIOD packages are lined up, ready to be packed and sent on delivery trips.
Miner is pictured meeting with student journalist Lindsay Jensen, who is writing a story on PERIOD for a class assignment. Jensen is preparing an interview with Miner at which they discuss PERIOD and their work on local and state policy.