At Hidden Valley High School, there has long been an issue with the availability of feminine sanitary products in the school bathrooms. Family, Career and Community Leaders of America (FCCLA) member Julia Pearce is working to address this ongoing issue through a student survey and a plan to better support the school’s female student population.
However, to gain the support needed to make a change, the survey must reach more students in order to raise awareness and show that this concern matters to the broader school community.
FCCLA is a club that promotes small but meaningful changes at Hidden Valley by having members complete an individual project each year. During her first year in FCCLA, junior Julia Pearce focused her attention on the lack of consistent access to feminine products in the girls bathroom. After seeing the issue overlooked time and again, she decided to act.
“My personal frustration is that, first of all, it is mandated by law that they’re supposed to be there. It should be considered like any other sanitary product—soap or toilet paper, things of that nature. It is so rare and so inconsistent as to when those containers are full, and even then, they’re depleted in the span of two to three days, not to be refilled for months on end,” Pearce said. “For many students, especially students who can’t afford them or who forgot a product that day, they’re left stuck either having to go to the nurse or in a very uncomfortable situation that I wouldn’t wish on anybody.”
Seeing the stigma around discussing menstruation, Pearce wanted to give the issue renewed attention. She began with a student survey to measure demand for menstrual products at school. The survey received 137 responses but could benefit from greater participation to help move the project forward.
“If a young lady does not have supplies, it could really affect her ability to concentrate. It can affect her confidence. It can affect how she goes about her day if she doesn’t have the correct supplies to take care of her period needs,” said school nurse Mrs. Shores.
Pearce also reached out to outside organizations, including Planned Parenthood’s teen connections program, in hopes of organizing a donation drive. The collected products would be placed in a supply area at school. Pearce envisions a system that allows students to discreetly access the products they need both at school and at home.
Although the project could not be fully implemented this year, its potential remains strong. With more awareness and support, Hidden Valley High School could take an important step toward meeting a basic health need for its students by ensuring a consistent and varied supply of feminine products.
