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2-26-2023 10:38pm
WHS Student Successfully Advocates for Period Products in School Restrooms
Darlene Cancell
Editor
Following Westwood High School Senior Isabella (Ella) Allen's convincing presentation to Westwood’s School Committee at its meeting earlier this month, students will have accessible, no-cost, stigma-free period products in Westwood High School restrooms.
Ms. Allen presented the issue of what she described as a complete lack of period products in the high school restrooms. She observed that only two restrooms at the high school contain a period product dispenser. She has never known either of them to be stocked. Lack of period products is a barrier to education and participation in daily life, presenting physical health risks and psychological effects, she said.
Ms. Allen noted that students may endure prolonged use of period products when they are not readily available. While students may head to the nurse’s office for assistance, Ms. Allen observed that doing so can create embarrassment. It can also mean missing precious classroom instruction time.
Three surrounding school districts, Needham, Medfield, and Weston, have partnered with an organization, Aunt Flow, and a partnership with Westwood Public Schools could provide period products in Westwood while reducing period stigma, said Ms. Allen. She proposed allocating money in the high school budget to work with Aunt Flow.
Aunt Flow describes itself as a solution for businesses and schools to offer period products for free in bathrooms. The organization notes that 86 percent of people who menstruate have started a period in public without the supplies they need. It reports that 1 in 5 American teenagers have struggled to afford period products.
As a result of Ms. Allen’s persuasive presentation, School Committee has determined to increase the schools department's proposed FY 2024 facilities budget by $4,000 to include period products for students.
Emily Parks, Superintendent of Westwood Public Schools, reported the budget addition to Westwood's Finance and Warrant Commission at its February 14th meeting. Ms. Parks commended Ms. Allen for undertaking an important cause and advocating for it, both convincingly and well.
