It's May!

MAY WORKDAY

We'll be meeting at Our Sewing Room on Saturday, May 4th, from 10am to around 4 pm.   Come any time, stay as long as works for your schedule.  We especially need a lot of experienced folks on sergers and sewing machines this month.  If that sounds like you, please check out your machine before you leave home--make sure it's running happily, and you have all the necessities that go with it.  I have lots of thread--it helps if you bring your own scissors and maybe seam ripper.  I do have a few sewing machines you can use if yours isn't portable.  Of course, there are non-sewing tasks too.  Parking is available at the bank lot across Main Street, as well as the lots north and south of the library--no limit on Saturdays.  Street parking is limited to 2 hours, until you get almost to C Street. 

MAY 28TH

You may remember from previous years that May 28th is Menstrual Hygiene Day--the date was chosen for symbolic reason--the average length of a period is 5 days, and a typical cycle lasts 28 days.  

So, 5-28.  Stay tuned--we may have something special that day.  

According to Wikipedia, Menstrual Hygiene Day is an annual awareness day on May 28 to highlight the importance of good menstrual hygiene management. It was initiated by the German-based NGO WASH United in 2014 and aims to benefit women and girls worldwide.

MENSTRUAL EQUITY

On March 26, Congresswoman Meng introduced H.R. 1882, the "Menstrual Equity for All Act of 2019." The bill would provide feminine hygiene supplies to women in prisons and homeless shelters, classify feminine hygiene products as health supplies, enabling them to be bought with pretax dollars (flexible spending accounts). It would also require the federal government and other large employers to provide supplies for their employees.

The cost of this program is small relative to the potential benefit: reduced absenteeism from school and work, greater success in school, and reduced risk of infections.

Does your representative in Congress support this bill?
If not, then write to your Congressperson urging them to support this bill!  Here's where to contact Peter DeFazio.  I did.            

PERIOD.ORG

This advocacy group, with chapters around the country, has its roots in Portland.  More people working for menstrual equity!  Check out their website and get on their email list.

VIDEOS

Are you aware that Days for Girls International has many videos available to view on their website?  On their website, click on ABOUT US, then VIDEOS will pop up under that.

FEEDBACK FROM LAOS

I  want to share this feedback from women and girls in Laos who previously received DFG kits.

DfG Luang Prabang Laos local leaders recently conducted surveys to gather feedback from 155 women and girls who had previously received DfG Kits and health education. One woman shared, "In the past, we didn't have anything to use when we had our period, sometimes not even underwear. It wasn't comfortable. We couldn't work hard when we had our periods. Now we can carry bamboo, work hard, and go anywhere! We're very happy."  We are pleased to share the results, highlighting the incredible impact DfG Kits and education have in the lives of women and girls: Do you currently use your DfG Kit? 96% said yes. *Those that said no, weren't menstruating largely due to recent childbirth. Do you feel embarrassed/shame during menstruation? 74% stated that since receiving DfG education, they no longer felt ashamed or embarrassed by their menstruation. *The remaining 26% said they felt shyness rather than shame or embarrassment. How easy or difficult was it to manage your menstruation before receiving a DfG Kit? How easy or difficult is it to manage your menstruation now with a DfG Kit? 99% stated that in the past having their period was very difficult, but that since receiving a Kit, having their period was either easy or very easy. Overall, how satisfied are you with your DfG Kit? 100% said that they are happy or very happy. Are there activities you CAN do now that you couldn't do before you had a DfG Kit? 99% said yes. Many of them gave examples such as going to school, working on the farm, attending weddings, sitting down/standing up, and dancing. The women and girls also enthusiastically shared stories and examples about the changes in their lives since receiving a DfG Kit and education. One woman states, "Before, I  didn't want to even sit down, but now I can do anything! I can even go to Nam Bak and  back!" (a 6-hour journey on the back of a truck or motorbike on mountainous, rocky paths.) A teenage girl excitedly stated, "I can't wait to have my period now!", showing how DfG Kits and education can break stigmas and help turn menstruation into something positive and natural for girls and women all over the world!