Presenter: Erica Pifer, Cell Biology & Genetics, Global Public Health Scholars
For my practicum I will be volunteering with an organization called I Support the Girls. It is a national organization with a chapter based in Silver Spring. I Support the Girls serves women who are facing housing insecurity for several reasons. Women who are experiencing homelessness, are refugees, living in transitional housing, or fleeing domestic violence may not have access to or be able to afford basic hygiene items, including bras, underwear, tampons, and pads. While working with this organization I will participate in several different types of service, being assigned where I am needed. My duties will include organization, administrative, and delivery jobs. Considering the sheer number of donations received, much of the work needed to be done involves cataloging and redistributing these items to women in need.
@scoffman
Hello!
I believe that organizations like ISTG is one of the only ways to reduce the stigmatization of menstruation in the United States. Looking abroad, there are often cultural barriers to reducing the stigma, however I do believe education is the still best option. Increasing access to period products and bras, as well as reminding people that a lack of access is a violation of the dignity of a woman, is a valuable tool. Providing the access fixes the problem in a short term, but educating people on the fact that this access is a fundamental part of healthcare of women will help reach the long term goal of equal access and destigmatization.
@laurenmacek0412
Hi Lauren!
ISTG has many affiliates all over the country, as well as globally. Some of this affiliates do run programs focused on menstruation education. For example, Girl Scouts is actually a partner organization of ISTG! Generally speaking, ISTG is more about providing the products to areas where they are most needed. This does include some younger populations, like donations which are provided to high schools and those provided to homeless shelters for young women and families. Additionally, they do speak at many conventions and have several advocacy programs to spread their message, but none of this education is primarily focused on young women. I think education for younger girls would be a very important task, but at this…
I was very intrigued about this poster from the title, especially advocating for women's health. I went to an all-girls high school where women's rights and health were discussed frequently. From the course FMSC110 in my fall semester, I saw the degree of how menstruation is stigmatized across the world, as you mentioned. Do you think that with the help of organizations like this that the stigma will decrease as more people will have access to them or is it a deeper issue than just access? Thank you for empowering women!
Does the organization teach young girls about menstruation and women’s health? If not, do you think the organization should take on this task as well, or focus on providing donations? The title of your poster caught my eye since I went to an all girls high school and we discussed topics such as the Tampon Tax often. Having this background, I was excited to learn about project since I know that women’s health is often overlooked. Thank you for sharing your experience; I would love to learn more about ISTG!