Celebrating Period Poverty Awareness Week with The Flow Initiative
During the last week of May, we come together across the United States to recognize and address the pressing issue of period poverty. From May 22nd to May 28th, known as Period Poverty Awareness Week, many initiatives and campaigns will be taking place to raise awareness of this critical issue. The week culminates on May 28th, also known as World Menstrual Hygiene Day.
But that’s not all—May is also designated National Menstrual Health Awareness Month, thanks to U.S. Representative Grace Meng’s (D-NY) efforts. Collaborating with The Flow Initiative, a remarkable nonprofit organization based right here in Jersey City, Rep. Meng has championed the cause of menstrual health legislation, particularly the Menstrual Equity for All Act.
We are fortunate to have such an extraordinary organization like The Flow Initiative working tirelessly in our community. Their mission is to eradicate period poverty and create a brighter future for women, girls, and individuals who menstruate. Keep reading to learn more about The Flow Initiative’s work, its goals of achieving menstrual equity for all, and most importantly, how you can join their inspiring movement!
About The Flow Initiative
The Flow Initiative is a local organization committed to eradicating period poverty and accelerating access to menstrual health products nationwide in Hudson County, New Jersey. Founded by the visionary Eiko La Boria, The Flow Initiative has already made a remarkable impact by distributing over 1 million products to women, girls, and members of the LGBTQ+ community. Their commitment to making a difference doesn’t stop there. To amplify and strengthen its mission, The Flow Initiative joined forces with Sabrina Browne, a passionate advocate for period poverty and menstrual equity. Eiko and Sabrina have forged partnerships with local and national organizations, effectively addressing crucial menstrual health issues.
This May has been very busy for The Flow Initiative, with dedicated programs and partnerships driving the advancement of new legislation at both local and state levels. Eiko has bold aspirations for the organization. “We’re laser-focused on establishing sustainable access points for menstrual products and inspiring legislation to fund them,” shares Eiko. It’s time to move beyond relying solely on donations to manage menstruation. The Flow Initiative is actively exploring innovative approaches to redefine access and ensure it serves the needs of those who require it most.
Sabrina Browne, a partner at The Flow Initiative, adds “Until we achieve menstrual equity for all, The Flow Initiative will continue to advocate for women, girls, and menstruating people nationwide. While we just surpassed 1 million menstrual health product donations, our team is very focused on menstrual health legislation and accelerating new bills across the Garden State. Our strategic partnerships and grassroots advocacy have allowed us to have a seat at the table, and this is just the beginning of what The Flow Initiative is going to accomplish.”
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The Flow Initiatives Campaigns and Projects
The Flow Initiative has many exciting initiatives and campaigns that capture attention and drive change. Their longstanding program, Project Local Access, is a library initiative based in Hudson County. Individuals can easily pick up period care packages from any library without facing barriers or questions. And the good news doesn’t end there—the program is expanding! The Flow Initiative is actively developing Newark and New Brunswick programs to broaden access and serve more communities. Moreover, they have taken a significant step by introducing legislation to the New Jersey Assembly to guarantee access to menstrual health products in all libraries.
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Also, later this year, The Flow Initiative, in partnership with Assemblywoman Shanique Speight, will host New Jersey’s second annual Menstrual Health Equity Summit. The inaugural summit, held in October 2022, drew an impressive attendance of over 300 participants at New Jersey City University, (NJCU), engaging in a full day of enriching workshops, enlightening panels, and informative sessions. This groundbreaking event solidified The Flow Initiative’s reach across the Garden State and emphasized the power of partnerships and grassroots advocacy. Recognizing that addressing period poverty requires collective efforts, The Flow Initiative takes immense pride in collaborating with Assemblywoman Speight and their esteemed partners to drive forward the cause of menstrual equity.
Upcoming Event – The Inaugural Red Tent Event
Join The Flow Initiative on an exciting event to raise awareness and promote menstrual health education. On Saturday, May 27th, they are hosting the inaugural Red Tent Event, inspired by Anita Diamant’s book. This event explores the historical experiences of menstruating and pregnant women, shedding light on how they overcame stigma and shame by uniting in solidarity.
How to Get Involved
Interested in supporting menstrual equity for all with The Flow Initiative? Join the organization during Period Poverty Awareness Week and support the organization by taking the following actions.
- Donate To The Flow Initiative’s GoFundMe: Your financial contribution will enable them to conduct more menstrual health education workshops, advocate for new menstrual health legislation, and accelerate product donations to vulnerable communities.
- You can make monetary donations by either Venmo or Cashapp at $theflowinitiative.
You can also make check donations to:
The Flow Initiative
321 Route 440
Ste. 3 # 130
Jersey City, NJ 07305
- Contact Your Local Representative: Take action to #EndPeriodPoverty by emailing your representatives and urging them to support the Menstrual Equity For All Act, designed to increase the availability and affordability of menstrual products for individuals with limited access, and for other purposes.
- Make a Product Donation To The Flow Initiative: Nationwide, there are an estimated 16.9 million people who menstruate living in poverty in the United States, according to the Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology. The Flow Initiative believes in providing access to all those who menstruate, and your product donations will help us achieve this goal.
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Author: Arati Patel
Arati is a professional immersed in the environmental and animal welfare field. In her free time, she enjoys walking and spending time with shelter dogs, exploring the outdoors, and always ready to find a new coffee shop. A born and raised Jersey City local, she considers herself a life-long learner who is ready to write and craft inspiring stories to share with everyone!
