Interrupted studies. Missed classes. Stunted education. This is the reality for so many students who menstruate, simply because they lack access to readily available and affordable period products.

Free toilet paper and soap are provided in every school bathroom as basic necessities for natural bodily functions. Yet, for students who need period products—at least half the student population—similar resources aren’t provided, and the consequences are profound for individuals and society.
Easy access to period products is necessary for equal opportunity in education. It is a fundamental human right to be able to discover and reach one’s full potential, regardless of a natural need. Providing free, readily available menstrual products in schools is critical to helping all students, especially low-income and transgender students, succeed. If we as a society do not ensure access to menstrual hygiene products we are showing that we do not value students with periods, and are actively perpetuating the harmful effects of period stigma and shame.
We believe that the Minneapolis Public Schools are in a unique position to provide care to their students by way of universal access to menstrual hygiene products in all bathrooms.

We, the undersigned, demand that all restrooms, regardless of gender designation, serviced by Minneapolis Board of Education funding must be consistently stocked with both pads and tampons at no cost to students, and have sanitary disposal units within each stall. Measures to ensure that individuals with disabilities are being equally served must also be taken.

We propose that the Minneapolis Public Schools District take immediate action to implement a pilot program for the duration of an academic quarter at Patrick Henry High School. Upon completion of the program, an evaluation should be performed to analyze the success of the initiative. Given a successful evaluation, the Minneapolis Public Schools could then proceed with a district wide implementation of this policy.