It was 2002, I was 21 years old flipping through a magazine when I saw an ad for a menstrual cup. A menstrual cup? No more pads and tampons? I never liked tampons much, and I hated the pads I used. Being earth friendly was cool, so I cut out the order and mailed it away for my menstrual cup.

It was immediate love. I felt more clean, I didn't have leaks. People thought I was weird when they got their period at work, and I told them "sorry, I don't have any pads or tampons." I was a cup user before anyone ever knew what a cup was, and I've never looked back.

Menstrual cups were invented back in the 1930s, but were slow to catch on. DivaCup, the one you all know, came out in 2003. The DivaCup was the first menstrual cup on our drug store shelves. They are the trailblazers in reusable menstrual cups.

That's why we are so excited to have a partner with DivaCup to bring this life changing period product to those who choose it. Menstrual cups are special and need to be donated with education. We donate these to people who have access to clean water, people living in the margins- from midwife offices to First Nations  reserves to high schools. To date, we've donated over 700 DivaCups out to those who choose and need them!

Did you know that one menstruator creates 300 pounds of waste in a lifetime of using disposable period products? Eeks. I know a menstrual cup isn't everyone's choice, but if you haven't tried it out, you really should. It takes some time and getting used to, and not every brand will fit everybody. But I promise you, it will be life changing.

The holidays are looking different this year for all of us. To keep one another safe, many of us will have to spend the season apart.

But that's all the more reason to give each other thoughtful gifts from afar, and those same gifts can uplift the most vulnerable members of our community.

This Giving Tuesday, give someone you love the gift of knowing they've helped someone have a safe, healthy period.

• For $15, give the gift of one month of period supplies
• For $40, one menstrual cup
• For $100, one educational presentation on the importance of menstrual equity to a group of young people
• For $180 a whole *year* of period supplies

Donate today, and we'll send your loved one an ecard letting them know that they made a meaningful difference in the life of a marginalized community member.

Thank you again for all your support in these difficult times, and we wish you and yours health and peace this season.

Part of our mission at The Period Purse (TPP) is to reduce the stigma surrounding periods through public education and advocacy. Through education, we believe we can erase the stigma surrounding menstruation and shed light on the unique challenges faced by people who experience homelessness.

We are excited to announce we have a brand new initiative to help us to do just this! As the school curricula in Canada lack a comprehensive education on menstruation and period poverty, we have designed three learning modules for students from grades 5-12.

The goal of these modules is to start a conversation. At The Period Purse, we are committed to education about healthy periods and menstrual equity. We hope that awareness of menstrual equity is fostered and the stigma of periods is challenged after each presentation.

Module 1 is called Period 101 for Grades 5-8. In this presentation, we ask: what are the common misconceptions about periods? We explore terminology that generates a healthy understanding of menstruation and brainstorm ways students can reduce stigmas associated with the menstrual cycle in their communities.

Module 2 is called Period Poverty, and is open to all ages. In this presentation, we explore what period poverty is, who is affected by it and how students can work towards menstrual equity. Students work together to think of what period poverty looks like in their communities and think of ways to address it.

And last but not least, Module 3 is about Reusable Period Products, offered to Grades 8-post secondary. In line with our core value of sustainability, in this presentation we explore options for reusable period products and how these products are used. We seek to generate thoughtful and intersectional thinking amongst students by asking: are reusable products the best option for everyone?

Our presentations run 45-60 minutes and are offered remotely by a trained TPP volunteer educator in light of the COVID-19 pandemic. We ask that a $100 donation be made to TPP for each presentation.

Get in touch with Jean, education@theperiodpurse.com, to learn more about our presentations.

At The Period Purse, we're striving to provide as many people as possible with safe, healthy periods.

Every bag of period products we collect equals a healthy period for someone in need. So far this year, we've made and distributed 11,000 kits of period supplies. That's 11,000 healthy periods. But we're aiming higher: our ultimate goal is 15,000.

This month, we held our Toronto Fall Blitz, a chance for our supporters to donate much-needed supplies to fill a whole new set of kits. Things looked a little different this year we only accepted pads, tampons, menstrual cups, underwear and cloth masks at our drop off locations.

It's just one of the ways we're adapting in this unprecedented time. It may not be business as usual, but we're still in the business of supporting marginalized people who mensturate.

That's one of the reasons we're doing more than just our Fall Blitz this year. We've introduced mini-drives, a chance for you and your loved ones to start your own online "blitzes".

It's simple set a donation goal either by yourself or with a team, and ask everyone you know to donate. For every $12 raised we can provide one month of period products for someone in need. That means just $144 is a whole year's supply of period products.

Your time, energy and generosity will directly help people who menstruate, but don't have access to the products they need to have a healthy period.

Whether it's finding new, safe ways to donate period products, or coming together to fundraise online, we appreciate all the countless creative ways our community continues to support the fight for menstrual equity. Thank you for all that you do, and for following our work during this unprecedented time.

Are you a college or university student passionate about making a difference for people who menstruate in your community? Starting a Menstruation Nation (MN) might be for you. A Menstruation Nation is a spirited and positive group of students and friends that wants to help raise awareness about menstrual equity, challenge period stigma and empower people who menstruate in their community. There has been growing enthusiasm for menstrual equity work amongst post-secondary students in recent years.

While the COVID-19 pandemic has put many things in our lives on pause, the struggle for menstrual equity continues. Post-secondary students are in a unique position to connect with other students and make a big impact on college and university campuses in regards to menstrual equity and menstrual health.

To begin your work with the MN on your campus, think about the methods of engagement you have access to that could help reach the most people. Facebook groups, school forums and simply connecting with your community is a great place to start. The next step is to make it an official club. This process is usually found on your university website. Once you've gathered a community of engaged students, stay connected using social media.

As large gatherings and public events pose a public health risk, generate conversation and reduce stigma surrounding menstruation by hosting virtual "Menstruation Nation Conversations." Just as organizations, workplaces and families have been doing, turn to online video-chatting forums to keep the conversation about menstrual equity going in your community. You might ask participants to register for the online event by making a donation towards The Period Purse. Together, virtually, you can have a conversation about menstrual equity in your community and stay connected. We will give you ideas in our MH Handbook for Universities and Colleges.

While collecting period products is a great way to tackle menstrual equity with your MN, there are many ways people can show their support. Offering online donations may expand your impact, and be more accessible and successful in light of the pandemic. That's why we've created a Team Fundraising Page. From here, you can set a target goal and invite your community to donate. Share this page with your MN and on social media.

Beginning a MN on your campus can contribute to menstrual equity by providing marginalized people who menstruate with access to free menstrual products. It can generate greater good, community and connection on your campus as well.

Reach out to our Menstruation Nation coordinator, Tait to start your Menstruation Nation today.