Photo Credit: Danielle Kaftarian
Danielle Kaftarian drives her car filled with period products for marginalized menstruators.

I met Jana Girdauskas, the founder of The Period Purse, nine years ago. Quickly I discovered her drive to spread kindness to others. It wasn't uncommon for her to leave little things on your doorstep if she knew you were having a bad week or a surprise craft to distract the kids when they were stuck at home during bad weather.

So when I saw her Facebook post asking for just ONE purse to hold period products for marginalized menstruators, it wasn't a surprise to me that she was putting together something; yet there I was, in shock. This felt different. I kept telling Jana, "This is big! This is going to be really, really big!"

In those early days, most of the volunteers started out as her close friends. We all pitched in when we had some availability. We had to help Jana now that she needed us. This was our way to return kindness. I was in shock that in less than a week, she had 11 purses.

Then the media picked up on this idea, and she was doing interviews with CBC, CityTV, newspapers, you name it. As a result, more donations were coming in, and before we knew it, a full donation drive was underway. We decided packing parties would be best to handle the sorting of donations and assembling of all the purses.

At the first packing party, we had a plan of how things were going to go. We had a rough idea of how much we had to sort and pack because we had collected it from the drive; we had a rough idea of how many people were going to come and help out because we had invited them.

What we didn't expect is that extra people came and everyone brought additional donations that they had collected. Very early into the event, we knew we had to change the set-up and packing processes. Everyone worked together to brainstorm ways to make them more efficient.

Before we all knew it, in a few short hours, we packed around 300 purses. There it was; Jana had accidentally started an incredible movement that would change the lives of so many.

Photo Credit: Danielle Kaftarian
Danielle Kaftarian's children supporting The Period Purse, celebrating after stuffing packs with products.

That ONE purse has turned into more than 16,000 periods supported in two years. Yet I don't see that as our biggest accomplishment. I see our biggest accomplishment as our ability to educate and effect change in how menstrual health is viewed and treated in our communities.

We have been given this great platform to openly share the knowledge that we are gaining along the way, such as ensuring that we use inclusive language when speaking about menstruation. In the early days, we used the common term, "feminine hygiene products." It's now been changed to, "menstrual products" to be more inclusive.

We also addressed the stigma surrounding discussing periods in general by partnering with Tait Gamble for Menstruation Nation, which educates students across Ontario about period health. And this year, The Period Purse is also looking to focus on supporting Indigenous communities through fundraising for reusable menstrual products.

Challenging individuals to take a moment and think about some of these issues around menstrual health is what is going to spark change. The Period Purse was even highlighted recently in a speech by Arif Virani, Ontario MP, in the House of Commons, which illustrates the progress we've made in discussing menstruation and menstrual equity.

I'm still in awe of how big this has grown in just two years, and I am beyond excited to see what happens in two more. I know I have learned and grown in my own confidence with talking about menstrual health; it's allowed me to teach my kids about kindness and charity; it's allowed me to feel like we can really make an impact in this one aspect of others' lives. I'm so honoured to be a part of this movement.

Now it's time to continue these important conversations and keep working towards menstrual equity. We encourage our supporters to reach out and join the conversation. Follow us on social media (Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook), and talk to your local politicians to spark change in your own communities. Like I imagined two years ago, it could lead to something big.

Being a community organization fueled by the power of diverse local leaders and volunteers, The Period Purse is proud to collaborate with some of Canada's brilliant community ambassadors to increase awareness about what we do and how the world can help us reduce menstrual inequity and the negative stigma associated with periods.

In other words, we're thrilled that there are people across this country who echo us when we say: "Half of the world bleeds. Deal with it and help us source free product for menstruators."

In the early fall of 2018, we launched our first-ever community ambassador program. It brings like-minded people together through strategic communication and social media efforts. We recognize that digital media is both flourishing and ever-changing. We too acknowledge that without the power of sharing stories, highlighting impact and connecting with folks from various communities who represent diverse audiences, we wouldn't be able to support marginalized menstruators across Ontario and Saskatchewan.

It is so incredibly important to us to ensure that we put representation at the forefront of everything we do, and since our community ambassador program opened, two passionate advocates, each with empowering social media brands, have helped us connect with new people, while supporting everything for which we stand.

We asked Cristina Navoa, Teacher and Lifestyle Ambassador, and Marissa Catena, Toronto mom of three, business owner, avid reader, coffee enthusiast and former knitter, why they are dedicated to supporting The Period Purse. This is what they had to say:

Cristina Navoa
Instagram: @cristina.in.colour

When my friend, Vanessa Grant, Founder of Vanessa Grant Media and Mommyfluencer.com, connected me with Jana Girdauskas and The Period Purse, I realized I had never thought about menstrual equity or that menstrual inequity existed. I thought about how my period affects me month to month; how on some days, I have found myself in predicaments without pads or tampons. I thought about times I stayed in bed with particularly bad menstrual discomfort. Then, I thought about other menstruators who do not have the resources I do; how running to the store to buy some pain medication or an extra pack of pads are not options when there are other priorities at the top of the list, like nutrition and shelter. This put things into perspective for me and I knew I wanted to be involved.

 

 

 

 

 

Photo Credit: Jenny Diaz Photography
Marissa Catena
Instagram: @catenasinthecity

In early 2017, there was a call out on a neighbourhood Facebook group with the ask to collect purses and menstrual supplies and donate them to a person experiencing homelessness. Until that day, I'd never stopped to consider the challenges a marginalized menstruator might face during their period. Learning that socks, toilet paper and newspaper are often used in lieu of sanitary products was eye-opening. Knowing the impact that one purse has on someone's life has made me a proud contributor to The Period Purse's, "Support a Menstruator," program. Each month, my donation empowers a menstruator by ensuring they have the supplies they need to handle their period, with dignity. The Period Purse has done so much in such a short time and I'm excited to see what 2019 brings! 

We are incredibly grateful for Cristina and Marissa's support and encourage you to follow along with their journeys via Instagram.

Are you interested in supporting The Period Purse as one of our community ambassadors? Send me a note at leviana@theperiodpurse.com for more information. In your email, please include a one to three sentence biography, your social media handles and any other web details you wish to share.

Thanks for building and supporting this diverse community with us. We can't make inclusive community impact without you!

One winter afternoon, while scrolling through my Facebook newsfeed of cat videos and selfies, a CBC News article caught my eye. It described The Period Purse, a grassroots organization that provides marginalized communities with access to free menstrual products while reducing the stigma surrounding periods through menstrual equity. Though I had never personally considered the obstacles marginalized menstruators face on a monthly basis, as a menstruator, I was inspired to organize a menstrual product drive benefiting The Period Purse at my school. While the giant box marked, "Tampons and Pads," in the school foyer initially lead to some trepidation and discomfort amongst students and staff, my enthusiasm and unapologetic promotion of the drive proved infectious.

Later that spring, I attended my first Packing Party in support of The Period Purse. I brought with me the product my school had collected. Volunteers danced, passed products, filled purses, carried boxes and crushed cardboard for two hours - all for menstruators in need. I left that evening feeling energized and inspired, knowing my work with The Period Purse had just begun. However, I couldn't have predicted this would also mark the beginning of the Menstruation Nation (MN).

The MN is a spirited, positive and supportive group of students that raises awareness about menstrual equity, challenges the stigma surrounding menstruation and empowers local menstruators in the community.

The MN began in October 2017, after my second pad and tampon drive at school. Thinking it would be fun if a few of my friends accompanied me to an upcoming Packing Party, I RSVPd for four of us. Word spread and soon, another four friends registered, then six more. Suddenly, there were 14 girls from my school attending The Period Purse's October Packing Party. There, we worked with people who, despite differences in identities and ages, shared a love of helping others. The Packing Party was empowering, energizing and so much fun!

Alas, the Menstruation Nation was born.

Our ever-growing group continued to gather at Packing Parties. Later, our MN held an additional drive and hosted a Packing Party of our own. Jana Girdauskas, Founder of The Period Purse, came to talk about her journey as part of our school's Community Week. Then, a special relationship cultivated between my school and The Period Purse. It showed me the power of young people when working together, tackling inequity. I saw how the MN empowered students to advocate for themselves and others while fostering peer to peer, individual to community and student to teacher education. Given the support and enthusiasm from students, teachers and parents for this cause, Jana and I soon realized the MN belonged at every school.

We worked on the official Menstruation Nation Program and Handbook, challenging our volunteers and prospective supporters to start their very own MN chapter. Like we did at my school, the MN Program and Handbook outlines how to host drives, Packing Parties and start a conversation surrounding menstrual health with like-minded students and educators.

Since the MN launched, the program has grown from one Toronto high school to multiple institutions across Canada.

Today, the MN continues to lay the foundation for a student-focused extension of another initiative surrounding period health, sustainability and education, The Period Purse's Diva Cup Program. The pilot begins at my high school, where the MN program began. A total of 50 Diva Cups will be donated to young menstruators like me!

Throughout this journey, here is what I've learned: The work of my MN peers has helped disenfranchised menstruators in our community feel confident and stay healthy. It has also challenged the negative stigma surrounding menstruation at our school, making people ask questions and have positive conversations about periods. It has allowed us to act on equity and think creatively about healthy and sustainable solutions for disenfranchised menstruators. It has sparked an enduring, genuine passion for menstrual equity and community engagement in our members. So, we want to do more!

The MN has inspired us to achieve a world that is both equitable and compassionate. At The Period Purse, and through these programs, we achieve this goal one purse, one school, one conversation and one student at a time.

Interested in starting a Menstruation Nation chapter at your school? Email me today at tait@theperiodpurse.com. 

The new year brings with it both reflection and goal-setting. As a local non-profit that opened its doors in February 2017, the last year marked The Period Purse's first full calendar year within the community. We have learned and gained so much and cannot wait for 2019's opportunities and lessons.

Since day one, The Period Purse has donated 8,718 period purses to marginalized menstruators. We too have given 7,874 refill period packs throughout this timeline. Our volunteers and donors have therefore supported our mission and vision so much so that we have given 16,592 healthy periods to people experiencing homelessness in Ontario and Saskatchewan.

Through efforts by the Toronto East and Toronto West chapters, The Period Purse continuously donates product to 65 shelters, respite centres and drop-ins across Canada's most diverse city. Outside of Toronto, we have expanded to seven active chapters. Our volunteers are working to bring menstrual equity to Brantford, Ont., Durham Region, Ont., Mississauga, Ont., Ottawa, Ont., Regina, Sask. and Sault Ste. Marie, Ont.

Grateful for growth and to kick-off The Spot's 2019 blog series, we are commemorating 2018 successes and sharing aspirations for the year ahead.

2018 Highlights:

• We're proud to have brought on our inaugural Board of Directors, made up of five Canadian women-identifying people. Together, we have collaborated on our first-ever Strategic Plan and have already begun to see strong results and positive impact. As we continue to expand, our Board will, too. Keep your eyes peeled for more opportunities to join our Board.
• The Period Purse and fellow menstrual equity advocates Amanda Laird, author and podcast host, and Councillor Kristyn Wong-Tam, worked with The City of Toronto to recognize May 28, 2018, as Menstrual Hygiene Day, for the first time. Menstrual Hygiene Day raises worldwide awareness of the challenges people face due to their menstruation. Toronto City Council also passed a motion to allocate $2M CAD in the 2019 budget for menstrual products in shelters, drop-ins and health centres.
• Last year, we also participated our first-ever Giving Tuesday, where we encouraged our followers and friends to contribute $12 CAD a month to our Support a Menstruator program, an opportunity to provide one person experiencing homelessness with the supplies they need to experience a healthy period, every month.

2019 Aspirations:

• May 28, 2019 will mark Toronto's second annual Menstrual Hygiene Day. We're honouring the initiative with an exciting event experience and we can't wait to see you there.
• We hope to implement our education program Menstruation Nation into 10 high schools and/or post-secondary schools throughout the coming months. Menstruation Nation allows us to continue the #periodtalk and reduce the stigma around periods. The program also encourages students to donate to folks within their community in need of menstrual products. For more information about Menstruation Nation and to launch a chapter of the program in your school, please contact tait@theperiodpurse.com.
• While The Period Purse is a non-profit organization, we are not yet a registered charity. That said, we are working to secure charitable status and will be updating our website with our Charity Registration Number once all aspects of the process are finalized.

With an estimated 63,450 menstruators in Canada experiencing homelessness, The Period Purse understands there is no quick fix to this big, bloody problem. We know we need to continue to invest in communities to continue to improve the lived experiences of folks facing marginalization. We recognize that we must continue to meet with decision-makers and ambassadors to spearhead change. We are firm in our belief that through impact, empowerment, dignity, education, kindness, enthusiasm, acts of good and community that long-lasting change can and will take effect.

We are ready to tackle the year ahead as advocates for menstrual equity, champions of change and thought-leaders challenging processes. Thank you for supporting our efforts and joining us on the ride.

For updates about The Period Purse that go directly to your inbox, sign up for our newsletter.

For more information about The Period Purse, watch this video that highlights what we do and why. The video was funded in part by the TD Volunteer Grant.

 

 

 

At The Period Purse, we are focused on making a positive impact on the lives of marginalized menstruators. We are also dedicated to working towards erasing the stigma associated with periods. With this at the forefront of all we do, we are committed to promoting and encouraging the use of inclusive language, which means being mindful of the words we use and making sure everyone feels safe and represented, both online and in real life.

There are so many words in the English language, we should consider ourselves quite lucky. If you wanted to describe how cold it is getting outside, or how you feel about the holidays, there's a word for that. But when it comes to being inclusive, and changing our language to welcome the spectrum of identities, some people have trouble finding the words.

This is two-fold, in my opinion. Firstly, it's important to try to be inclusive. Secondly, it's useful to think about why we are so determined to attach labels to absolutely everything from menstrual products, to relationships, to people.

It's easy to assume things. It's easy to trip up. And it's far too easy to ignore where people come from and why inclusive language is important.

So for this blog post, I reached out to a friend of mine who has lived experience.

Cole identifies as trans. They grew up in a small town seven hours north of Winnipeg, MB in the 80s and early 90s. Cole was raised in a Roman Catholic home and went to bible camp. Knowing Cole now, I would have never guessed.

Cole works as a registered massage therapist and has been living and thriving in Peterborough, ON for the past 16-years. Cole has a loving partner, who has a son.

Cole is successful, happy, healthy and dedicated to helping others through being an example of strength and perseverance. But it wasn't always this simple for Cole. In fact, getting to their good place nearly killed them.

Cole was 18 when their mom passed away - that's when they headed to Peterborough and found a welcoming queer community.

Cole always knew they were different and felt like they had been born in the wrong body. Growing up, Cole was referred to as a "tomboy," and at that time, Cole says, no one even identified as gay. Homophobia was rampant and the only LGBTQ2+ people anyone ever talked about were few and far between and often affiliated with words like "struggle" and "hardship." Even the word "lesbian" was a tough one because Cole didn't feel like a lesbian, they felt like somebody else entirely.

Then, about seven years ago, it all came to a head. Cole was tired of feeling like they were living their life as someone else.

They learned about a doctor who was taking on new trans patients, and two months thereafter, Cole was taking testosterone. Not only did they feel better, but people around Cole started noticing positive changes, as well.

It's been a roller coaster, to say the least, but Cole heedfully admits that they "pass" well as a man, which means Cole has had to confront a newfound privilege. This is a topic all on its own, but let's just say one of the things Cole has noticed is that they are always offered the cheque first when out to dinner with their partner.

However, Cole doesn't want to erase their past. It has been a journey with ample lows, but Cole wants others going through similar experiences to know they are not alone. Cole also says that if the word "she" comes up while talking about their youth, Cole is OK with that because it's a part of who they are. Not everyone feels this way, but for Cole, expressing this is important.

In the spa and massage therapy industries, Cole says it's still incredibly gendered, but they have taken it upon themself to cultivate a space that makes people feel safe and welcome.

For example, a customer's choice of pronoun may be different from their legal name, which would be used to make an insurance claim. This is something I've never given a second thought to, but it can be incredibly stressful for those who don't identify with the body, or name, they were given at birth.

Cole's is one story of a person who continues to examine and reflect upon their gender identity. At the root of it though, Cole is a human. They are Cole. And Cole is not alone.

Inclusivity is crucial, and being mindful and empathetic of an individual's experiences and preferences are too, but my advice is to refrain from being so quick to give everything a label, especially if it's only to make it easier on you. We have plenty of words available, but it's not always up to us to assign them!

Interested in connecting to learn more about The Period Purse's Inclusive Language Policy and how you can join our journey to enhancing inclusion and diversity? Contact me today at dani@theperiodpurse.com.