Period at U.Va. combats period stigma, lack of menstrual health products in quarantine housing
Third-year Education student Lara Veldman and third-year College student Amber Peake founded Period at U.Va. to end period stigma after noticing that there was no contracted independent organization specifically serving menstruators in the University and Charlottesville communities to this level. The chapter was founded in the fall of 2020 and officially launched Feb. 1. The chapter is also working to increase access to period products around Grounds. Members, among other University students, particularly noticed a serious lack of menstrual products in quarantine and isolation dorms.
In 2018, Student Council and the Inter-Sorority Council piloted a menstrual hygiene program, which involved placing free menstrual hygiene products in five Newcomb Hall bathrooms for a two week period. Additional funding was provided for the initiative in 2019, with locations of free menstrual hygiene products expanding to bathrooms in Newcomb Hall, Madison House and various libraries on Grounds.
Members of Period at U.Va. work to continue educating University students and community members about menstruation while addressing the menstrual needs of students on Grounds.
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