The first two #periodprojects, Power to the Period Donation Drive and the Period Shop, are just the beginning of the projects U by Kotex will be rolling out. The Period Projects are described as “a groundbreaking project series led by real women” who are working to make periods a better experience for all. Each #periodproject will help make periods, as well as accessing menstrual products, an easier and more enjoyable experience for women.

Power to the Period Donation Drive

One of the first projects, the Power to the Period Donation Drive, is the first national drive for menstrual products ever, and came into fruition after U by Kotex was inspired by a single tweet. Holly Sanchez (@HSanchezPerry) tweeted, “Buy an extra box of pads/tampons & donate to a homeless shelter near you. These items are so often overlooked.” 3.5 million Americans experience homelessness each year, and many of these people are lacking the menstrual products they need. Together, Sanchez and U by Kotex have partnered up with DoSomething.org for Power to the Period, which will donate all menstrual products collected to homeless shelters across the US. The drive ends September 30, so you still have time to sign up to participate and scour your community for pads and tampons. By entering the drive, you will learn more about homelessness and lack of period products, receive tips on how to fundraise effectively, and have the chance to win a $5,000 scholarship.

The Period Shop

The second period project, the Period Shop, is a period pop-up shop, and the brainchild of Sarah M., who posted on her Tumblr her desire for a shop made to cater to those who menstruate. The Period Shop is a safe, fun place filled not only with pads and tampons, but cute T-shirts, photo booths, food, accessories, and cool performances from artists and musicians. It’s a fun, cheerful place made to celebrate what can sometimes be such a hard time of the month. All proceeds from the shop go to Susan’s Place, a “transitional residence with an onsite medical and dental clinic” for homeless women. The residence aids physically and mentally ill homeless women specifically, and recently expanded to be able to house 200 women.

The next #periodprojects are unknown, but are guaranteed to be inspired by another real woman’s thoughts and wants for improving periods. Sarah M.’s post on Tumblr about her dream period shop, a place full of ice cream, comfy clothes, and cute manicures, seemed too good to be true; and now it’s a real space! Neither Sarah’s Tumblr post about the period shop or Sanchez’s tweet about donating pads and tampons to homeless shelters went viral, yet they were still able to make a huge impact.

U by Kotex seems to be doing a great job of scoping out social media to collaborate with regular women on making the ideas they post a reality, so if you’ve thought of something, maybe give them a mention on Twitter, or any of their other social media platforms!

Cover image courtesy of Getty Images.

By Ariel Wodarcyk on August 10, 2016
Ariel is a contributing writer for Helloflo. She is currently studying journalism at the Newhouse School of Syracuse University, and is an intern at Arts Council Napa Valley, a nonprofit arts adovacy agency. Her writing has been feautured on the Arts Council Napa Valley blog, FLURT, Naturma, and in the Napa Valley Register. You can find Ariel’s shameless self-promotion and newsy shares on Twitter.