A 14-year-old student has made significant strides in ensuring her peers have access to menstrual supplies at school. After experiencing the frustration of not finding a pad or tampon when she needed it, Jessica Taylor, an eighth grader at Sunnyvale Middle School in Washington, took matters into her own hands.
Last school year, Jessica faced an unpleasant situation while searching for menstrual products in the school’s restrooms. With machines that failed to dispense supplies and one even swallowing her coins, she was left anxious until she discovered a spare pad in her backpack. This incident motivated her to advocate for change. “I didn’t want any other girl to go through what I did. I just wanted to make life a little easier for everyone,” Jessica explained to reporters.
Although the school offered free menstrual products in the nurse’s office, Jessica believed many students were unaware of this option and felt uncomfortable seeking help during emergencies. Therefore, she initiated a petition to the school administration, proposing that pads and tampons be made available in restrooms, akin to toilet paper. Her petition garnered over 100 signatures from classmates.
In her letter to the school, Jessica posed a compelling question: “Why are tissues and toilet paper provided free at school, but not sanitary pads and tampons?” She emphasized that just like toilet paper, menstrual products are essential for managing natural bodily functions, and underscored that girls should not be penalized for a biological process.
While awaiting the school’s response, Jessica proactively used her allowance to create baskets filled with menstrual supplies for the restrooms, even including encouraging notes with quotes like Malala Yousafzai’s “One child, one teacher, one pen, and one book can change the world.”
Inspired by her social justice class and the 2016 presidential election, Jessica drew strength from the resilience displayed by female leaders. “Hillary Clinton showed me that you can stand strong against adversity, and that motivated me to fight for equal access to education and resources for all,” she said.
Fortunately for Jessica and her fellow students, her efforts paid off. Within three weeks, the school announced it would provide free menstrual products in the restrooms. “We commend Jessica for bringing this issue to light, and we are proud of her for utilizing what she learned in her social justice class,” a school representative stated. “All vending machines have been repaired, and there are ample supplies available in restrooms, health rooms, and locker areas.”
Jessica’s activism demonstrates the power of youth voices in advocating for change.
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Summary
A determined eighth grader, Jessica Taylor, successfully advocated for free menstrual products in her school’s restrooms after experiencing the frustration of being unprepared for her period. By gathering signatures and drafting a compelling letter to the school administration, she highlighted the necessity of making menstrual supplies accessible, leading to significant changes within weeks.
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