Roses are red; Periods are too,
If I don’t always carry tampons around;
I am so screwed.
While humor can be found in this short poem, it touches on a reality women face every month. Periods are unpredictable and often appear at the worst times possible. Even the most careful person has the occasional slip up and forgets to restock their tampon stash. Not having tampons or pads when one’s period pays them a surprise visit can be a true nightmare.
Stained pants or makeshift pads/tampons can result in extreme discomfort and can negatively impact a woman’s ability to focus in school. I mean, imagine trying to pay attention to your teacher’s lecture or concentrate on that big test in math while also worrying your jacket isn’t covering your stain right or that you have a wadded up piece of toilet paper you know where. #Free the tampons started in 2013 by a lady named Nancy Kramer.
Her organization has contributed to a large amount of research proving the necessity of free tampons and pads in women’s restrooms as well as advocating for this cause to be adopted by schools and businesses. While this movement is nationwide, it is time for it to come to California State University, Monterey Bay (CSUMB). Use your voice and help #free the tampons here at CSUMB.
If you would like to learn more about the #free the tampon movement, you can visit www.freethetampons.org.