Champion champions period poverty

When Niwot eighth-grader Meredith Champion of Boulder Country Day School had to choose her Middle School IB Program capstone project, it became the beginning of a journey that transcended the simple impacts of a traditional school activity.

As most good projects do, it related to something she and others her age experience, affected her view of the world, and changed the views of friends, family and community members.

Her project was designed to build awareness and make a positive impact in the fight against what has come to be known as "period poverty." Period poverty is the lack of access to sanitary products during a woman's monthly menstruation.

Champion's interest started with learning about the issue from a news story. "In the summer, on the news there was an interview about period poverty," Champion said. "Since I was looking for a project, we found out more research about it. There was a lot of crazy facts that inspired me to want to do more."

Champion is partnering with the nonprofit periodkits.org that distributes three months' worth of supplies to women who can't afford them. She's collecting products that can be included in period kits, and so far has also raised $800 in donations.

She hopes to raise more than $1,000 before April 15. If community members would like to donate, they can visit the website and donate there directly. Donations can also be made through the Amazon wishlist or through Venmo.

Champion also organized an in-person drive on March 11 at Niwot Market where customers could buy products from store shelves or Champion's table and then donate them there, or make a Venmo donation. On that day alone, she raised $350 in cash and venmo donations, and more than $200 worth of supplies. Niwot Market also donated supplies to the drive.

Something else happened at the drive: community education. "It's such an unrecognized issue," Champion said. "When you first tell someone about it they might be shocked or uncomfortable."

In fact, eighty percent of the women who stopped by gave money or took the brochures and took action later. There were also men who were willing to donate and listen, perhaps helped by the presence of Champion's father, Jay Champion, who has been a supporter throughout the project.

Jay explained, "As she talked to me about this project I was like, 'Am I supposed to talk about it?' I'm glad I did. I've seen that it's meaningful to men to have a man available and I'm proud of my daughter for taking on this subject which can be awkward. It's brave of her."

The Niwot Market Drive also allowed Meredith to see community members' responses to the issue of period poverty firsthand. "Some people are great about it. They want to donate and help the cause. Others aren't so comfortable and I totally understand that. But one of my goals is to eliminate stigmas and get people talking." She has also talked with boys in her school who are open to the idea and wanted to help.

Champion is concluding her project with a presentation on April 28. "But I will probably be continuing my service past that date," she said. "I think that it's such an important project. I've realized that it's really a secret struggle that individuals face every day. Just like climate change or other issues, we need people to act on it. I think that's my job now."

Facts about Period Poverty

Part of Champion's passion for this project is to build awareness of "period poverty" and to have people of all genders and ages become comfortable thinking about and speaking about menstruation. With this in mind, below are facts she's learned about the issue.

- Nearly 1 in 4 students have struggled to afford period products

-Lower income and and students of color are more impacted by period poverty than white and middle-income students

-70% of students are taught more about the biology of frogs than the human female body in school

-51% of students have worn period products for longer than recommended.

-38% of lower income and minority women who menstruate have had to miss events or activities in the last year, such as work, school or appointments, due to lack of access to period products.

- As of January 1 of this year, Colorado has stopped taxing period products. This is another aide for people who are struggling to afford period products.