Advocacy
We aim to advocate for systemic change through policy and legislation regarding menstrual equity. Reaching out to state representatives, canvassing, and lobbying are all important in making period poverty a mainstream issue and one that our legislators will prioritize. You have the opportunity to advocate for legislative change in your respective state by meeting with state representatives, testifying on these issues, and making your voices heard! Read below to learn more about how you can get more involved in policy change and set up meetings with your state reps!
Advocacy 101
Check Out PAD 2020
Policy Change
Work with your state legislators to eliminate the discriminatory tampon tax and make products available in schools, shelters, and prisons.
The tampon tax refers to menstrual products being categorized and taxed as luxury items. Items within this luxury category are deemed to be expensive and non-essential and are taxed extra for this reason. The luxury taxed is placed on things such as private jets, jewelry, yachts, exotic cars, etc. This means that menstrual products are considered to be items of luxury, and not of essential or neccesary. In contrast, many products like Viagra and Rogaine are considered essential and exempt from the sales tax.
A crucial step in the fight for menstrual equity is ending the tampon tax! We do this through policy change, whether that may be on a local or national level. To do this, it requires action be taken by legislators. For that reason, it's important for activists and advocates to put pressure on legislators to make policy change by deeming menstrual products as essential goods and exempting them from taxation the same way they do Viagra and Rogaine.
In schools: Menstrual hygiene products are basic necessities, and the inability to access them affects a student’s freedom to study, be healthy, and participate in society with dignity. Like toilet paper, these products should be provided in all restrooms for easy and direct access rather than creating a barrier by being placed in one central restroom or in the nurse's office.
In shelters: Currently, the Internal Revenue Service does not classify tampons and pads as medical expenses. Thus, tampons and pads cannot be purchased through government assistance programs like SNAP or Medicaid. This issue has especially been affecting menstruators in the houseless community.
In Prisons: Many prisons across the country are degrading menstruators by failing to provide incarcerated women with adequate menstrual products and exposing them to major health risks.
Though PERIOD. is currently focused on exempting the tampon tax in the remainder of US states and providing menstrual products in schools across the country, our goal is to influence positive change to ultimately end period poverty on all levels.
5 Steps to Meet with your legislator
Figure out who your state representatives are:
When deciding on which of your state representatives to reach out to, consider which of them you feel may be more open to engaging in a conversation about this. You could also email a number of state representatives and wait to see which of them respond. To find contact information and the list of your state representatives you can visit: WHOISMYREPRESENTATIVE.COM
Now that you’ve found the contact information of the representative(s) you plan to reach out to, send an email and make a phone call to their office. In your message be sure to mention who you are, what school or organization you're with, that you’d like to schedule a meeting. Be sure to mention the specific issue you are reaching out about (i.e Tampon Tax exemption).
It's common to find that your state representative is too busy to meet, if that is the case, do not be discouraged. Instead, request a meeting with a member of their core staff. Staff members are often aware of specific bills and common issues across the state, speaking to them is an effective way of relaying information to your state representative.
Before you enter the meeting with the legislator, you need to make sure that you have a clear goal. Be sure to also make your goal clear to the legislator at the start of the meeting.
Be prepared and have a strong and deep understanding of the issue you are addressing. To do this, you must do thorough research on the issue (i.e tampon tax) in advance.
- Create a list of talking points for a better flow and more organized meeting with the representative or their staff. This will show that you are well prepared. If you need help preparing, feel free to reach out to policy@period.org.
- Possible talking points:
Issues surrounding period poverty in your respective state
Tax on menstrual products in your state (if applicable)
Bills introduced or passed that are related to improving the accessibility and/or affordability of menstrual products. This includes schools, shelters, prisons.
- Possible talking points:
Make the most of your time. Meetings with a representative are typically scheduled for 15 to 45 minutes. For that reason, keep the number of issues you plan to speak about to a maximum of 2 (i.e Tampon tax & Free menstrual products in schools).
If 2 or more people will be attending the meeting, be sure you plan which points each person will speak on.
Your representatives are very busy, be respectful of their time and try to arrive 10-15 minutes early.
Have a notebook and take clear notes on what the representative says. Make sure to write down any names of different representatives that could be allies to the movement or any bills that would be useful to read and learn more about.
It’s important to send a thank you letter/email to your representative as soon as possible.
Review the notes you took down during the meeting and look over what questions have been answered or what questions you may still have for your representative.
Be sure to follow up with any useful materials that your representative may have requested.
Keep the PERIOD team updated and the policy work you are doing so that we could help support you. Send an email to policy@period.org and inform them about the meeting you have scheduled and update them on what progress you may have made. They might have some good insight on next steps.
Products in School
5 Steps to getting menstrual products in your school restrooms
Connect with other passionate individuals who care about the subject. Some places you may find these allies include your PERIOD chapter, social justice clubs, the health center, OB/GYNs on campus, and gender studies departments.
Many chapters are using petitions on Action Network to demonstrate community support, but other schools have seen success without petitions.
You have the people, now you need a plan. Divide up the action items, and complete all the tasks before contacting your administrators. It is important to be organized, informed, and prepared when you meet with them. These action items include:
- Scheduling a meeting
Once you have everything ready, set up an in-person meeting with school decision-makers calling their office or emailing them directly. Elect a few individuals to meet with administration and pitch the project.
- Read and understand the sample cost breakdown for the administration to provide menstrual products. Look into cost estimates and understand the investment. For example: Here is the cost breakdown for a full menstrual product program in academic buildings.
When it is time to meet with your administration, be prompt and dress professionally. Make sure you:
- Have hard copies of all materials - we recommend that you use the “school handout” to leave with the administrators when you finish, and ensure that any technological elements in your presentation are working properly.
- Begin by presenting your handout, then move into the cost, as well as your plan for executing the program.
- Listen to the concerns of the administrators, answer their questions, and work with them to come up with a plan moving forward.
- Talking points:
- Introduce yourself and share why you got involved with PERIOD and are passionate about the menstrual movement
- Before going into the meeting, be sure you're clear on what your "ask" is! Are you interested in starting a pilot program in your school to push for free menstrual hygiene products?
- "How can we help you?" is a question worth asking your administrators. This may be creating a marketing sheet about the products, stating to not steal them or even surveying your student body.
- Schedule a follow-up meeting with your administrators and make sure you’re clear about what you need to have ready by this follow-up meeting and the tentative deadline for implementing this project.
- After your meeting, be sure to send a thank you email to the people you met with.
- For more personalized advice and guidance, reach out to policy@period.org
- Talking points:
It is vital to meet with your school administration to speak about the lack of menstrual products in your school. Making them aware of this issue and its urgency in which it must be dealt with is the first step towards a solution. When connecting with potential companies who could provide your school with products, it is also important to reach out to a distributor who can fulfill your school's needs and meet the financial budget.
- After meeting with your school administration be sure to follow up with them after the meeting to keep the conversation going. In many cases, you will have to be persistent in order to see action being taken.
- Work with your school to understand the next steps for the pilot or full implementation, and whether your chapter has any responsibility. If you have any questions about this process reach out to policy@period.org.
Implement a pilot program OR prepare for campus-wide adoption. Keep the momentum going by broadcasting your success on social media and connecting with the school or the local newspaper to write a story. If you have any questions about this please reach out to policy@period.org.
Advocacy Events
Tabling is a great way to receive direct donations you can put to use right away, and doubles as a great way to get exposure and make connections! To table, get permission from your school, or a public space like a farmers market or grocery store parking lot. Then, gather chapter members and set up around a table with large signs and a clear presentation of who you are.
Make sure that you’re adhering to CDC Guidelines when planning in person events. Safety first!
Why table? Have a clear GOAL!
There are many goals one can have when tabling, such as recruiting new members, volunteers, spreading awareness for a campaign or event you have, fundraising, or just destigmatizing and educating around the topic of menstrual equity!
What to bring:
Red-Table Cloth to lay out on your table. It makes such a big difference!
- Donations:
Bring a jar to collect cash donations
A white board or poster with Venmo/CashApp/GoFundMe information
A cardboard box to collect menstrual product donations + information of where people can donate products in the future (if doing a product drive)
- Handouts/Flyers that explain what menstrual equity & period poverty are and what your chapter does to serve your community
You can also bring: Pamphlets, informational handouts, or resource lists with information about the service partners you provide products to, where to find menstrual products for free in your school/city, period health information, etc.
Email List: A piece of paper with a clipboard or notebook. Individuals who are interested in joining your team can provide their Name & Email Address so you can send follow ups
Photo Op - Bring a big sign or backdrop that people can take pictures with. This is a great and easy way to document your tabling event on your social media!
Merch! Stickers, Pins, Pens, etc., that you can give out
Action: Have an action item for people who come up to your table:
This can be a petition to sign, a donation box, an email list, etc. It’s important for people to have something to take with them, add to their phone, or something to remember you by, especially if you’re tabling at a fair where people will be visiting many tables.
Focus: Make sure you have something quick and easy to say about what your org or chapter focuses on and what work you’re doing in your community:
Broad: Our mission (to end period poverty and stigma) and how we do this (service, education, advocacy).
Specific: Why are you tabling at this event? Why are you involved in PERIOD? Is there an event individuals can attend that’s coming up soon?
POST EVENT:
Debrief: Make sure to talk about your experience with your team at your next meeting! What worked and what didn’t? What could go better next time? How much money did you fundraise? Any new attendees? Volunteers? Feedback?
Social Media
Make sure to take lots of pictures of your table, of your props and of the people that went to the tabling event! This will be great to post on social media to spread more awareness about your cause. You can brag about the amount of signatures you got, or if you didn't get as many as you were thinking, you can also say that! (ie: "We were outside the Student Union yesterday for OVER X HOURS and we still haven't gotten to our goal! Thank you to everyone who came to say hello and signed our petition. Now it is your turn! Link in bio!" -- or something along those lines)
Encourage others to support legislation that supports menstrual equity by sending out letters!
PLAN: Determining what current legislation supports menstrual equity in your state or national level. Make a list of people you want to ask to support this legislation and their office addresses. Then, create templates for what to write in the letters. Purchase blank cards or card stock and envelopes. Find a communal space (this can also be done online on Zoom or Google Hangouts) to host your campaign!
ADVERTISE: Spread the word! Show chapter and community members what you’re doing and how to come help via Instagram and other social media. If your event is remote, encourage people to buy their own supplies!
EXECUTE: When everyone is there, pass around the materials and give the examples of things to write. Be sure the notes follow PERIOD’s language guidelines. Once you’ve written and decorated your notes, send them out! Don’t forget a stamp!
SHARE: Post your event to social media and tag some of the politicians you are sending letters to. Send photos of your party to PERIOD national! We need to see what you’re up to.
Encourage others to support legislation that supports menstrual equity by calling their offices!
PLAN: Determining what current legislation supports menstrual equity in your state or national level. Make a list of people you want to ask to support this legislation and their office phone numbers. Then, create a script for what to say when you call. If you are scared of phone calls, don’t worry, most of the time you will be leaving a message. Find a communal space (this can also be done online on Zoom or Google Hangouts) to host your campaign!
ADVERTISE: Spread the word! Show chapter and community members what you’re doing and how to come help via Instagram and other social media.
EXECUTE: When everyone is there, pass around the list of phone numbers and give the script of what to say. Be sure the notes follow PERIOD’s language guidelines. Once you’ve divided up the list of numbers based on the amount of participants, start calling!
SHARE: Post your event to social media and tag some of the politicians you called and send photos of your party to PERIOD national! We need to see what you’re up to.
Create posters to make your voice heard!
PLAN: Purchase card stock or poster board and markers. You can also create a Pinterest board or document of inspiration for designs. Find a communal space (this can also be done online on Zoom or Google Hangouts) to host your Poster Making Party!
ADVERTISE: Spread the word! Show chapter and community members what you’re doing and how to come help via Instagram and other social media.
EXECUTE: When everyone is there, go around and share why you are a part of the menstrual equity space. Then, let the creative juices flow! Be sure the notes follow PERIOD’s language guidelines. Once you’ve created your posters, take pictures and show off your amazing artistic skills!
SHARE: Posters are a great tool for rallies. However, during this time when rallies are not being held, you can instead share your poster pictures to social media to spread the work and continue to talk about periods. Make sure to tag PERIOD national (@periodmovement)!
Talk about current legislation and sign a petition to make your voice heard!
PLAN: You could either create the petition beforehand or create the petition as a group during the event. Either way, research current legislation concerning menstrual equity in your community, state, or country and determine what you want to do about it. Do you want to encourage politicians to support the bill? Do you want your school administration to supply free product? Set a goal for how many signatures you are aiming to get. Find a communal space (this can also be done online on Zoom or Google Hangouts) to host your Petition Signing Party!
ADVERTISE: Spread the word! Show chapter and community members what you’re doing and how to come help via Instagram and other social media.
EXECUTE: When everyone is there, go around and share why you are a part of the menstrual equity space. If you are writing the petition as a group, brainstorm ideas on what you want to say and start drafting it! Be sure the notes follow PERIOD’s language guidelines. Once you’ve created your final draft, post it to Action Network and get everyone to sign it! If you already have the petition created beforehand, have everyone sign it together on the call. And then celebrate and talk about your next steps.
SHARE: Share your petition to social media and encourage others to sign it! Make sure to share the petition PERIOD national so we can help spread the word as well!
We have more resources coming soon to help you with your policy and advocacy efforts!
STAY TUNED!
Organizing For Justice Training Event Recap
The PERIOD Organizing for Justice Training Sessions led by the Midwest Academy where a series of training focused on utilizing grassroots strategies to demand justice in our communities
The Midwest Academy (The Academy) is a national training institute committed to supporting struggles for racial, economic, and social justice. From local neighborhood groups to statewide and national organizations, they have trained over 50,000 grassroots activists from hundreds of organizations and coalitions during their 47-year history.
The overall goals of their training and consulting are to help grassroots leaders strengthen their organizations and bring about concrete improvements in public policy impacting people’s lives; actualize opportunities to help build broader social movements for justice, and develop the personal tools to sustain one’s organizing practice over the long haul.
The Academy trains participants to think like organizers, that is, to analyze power, and think strategically and organizationally.
Training Session 1: Relations of Power; Saturday, December 5th, 2 PM - 3:30 PM ET
It is not enough to be right, have good arguments, understand the legislative process or know important people. When confronting organized power on the other side (for example, the power of big corporations, structural racism, and economic inequality), it is necessary to develop measurable power of our own. Participants then analyze the forms of power available to most community organizations, in relation to the specific types of social changes they are seeking
Training Session 2: Strategy in Campaign Development; Thursday, January 7th, 7PM - 8:30PM ET
Strategy is the core of our program. Using the Midwest Academy Strategy Chart, participants learn how to identify and analyze the relationships between goals, organizational resources, and objectives, constituencies, decision-makers, and tactics. This puts everything we say about analyzing power into the practical context
of an issue campaign, and keeps track of all the moving parts.
Training Session 3: Racial Justice Frameworks in Organizing; Thursday January 28th , 7PM - 8:30PM ET
Participants will be led through a set of questions and reflections that ask about equity considerations. How do racism, sexism, homophobia, economic inequality, and other structural inequities affect your constituency and the issues that you are concerned about? Who is most impacted by the issues you are addressing? Are the people most impacted at the table from the beginning, involved in choosing and defining the issues and building strategy? Or is diversity and deep representation of impacted communities an afterthought? Do the long-term outcomes of your work lead toward dismantling the structures of injustice, or merely address immediate problems? This tool guides organizations through questions that apply to racial, gender, economic, and other equity issues.
Thank you to everyone who participated!