NJ Assemblywoman Visits Newark School To Talk About 'Period Poverty'

Newark NJ

14 June, 2022

2:56 PM

Description

NEWARK, NJ — A state lawmaker recently paid a visit to a high school in Newark bearing a gift of care packages for students in need of feminine hygiene products. And Assemblywoman Shanique Speight also brought a message: it's time to end "period poverty" in New Jersey. Speight, who represents the state's 29th district – including Newark – was at East Side High School last Wednesday. The assemblywoman was joined by Teach for America's director of policy and partnership, Matthew Craig, and teacher volunteers, The Flow Initiative's founder and CEO, Eiko La Boria, and National Organization for Women president, Anjali Mehrotra, who helped donate and distribute the feminine hygiene products. The assemblywoman worked with Diana Dos Santos, the department chair for health and physical education at East Side High School, to organize the event. It wasn't the first time that Speight has rallied on the issue at East Side High School. In May, she hosted a "period packing party" where volunteers put together care packages with feminine hygiene products and educational materials for donation to local high schools and women's shelters. Speight said last Wednesday's visit is part of an ongoing effort to ensure that all students in New Jersey have access to essential feminine hygiene products, regardless of their family's financial situation. "No girl should be forced to go without feminine hygiene products because they can't afford them," Speight said. "By making this issue a priority, we promote menstrual equity and ensure all students in New Jersey have access to critically needed products." See related article: NJ Bill Would Require Schools To Have Free Tampons In Bathrooms Send local news tips and correction requests to [email protected]. Learn more about posting announcements or events to your local Patch site. Don't forget to visit the Patch Newark Facebook page.