MAYBE IF WE ALL . . .

TODAY IS THE INTERNATIONAL DAY OF THE GIRL

𝘞𝘦'𝘳𝘦 𝘤𝘦𝘭𝘦𝘣𝘳𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘐𝘯𝘵𝘦𝘳𝘯𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯𝘢𝘭 𝘋𝘢𝘺 𝘖𝘧 𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘎𝘪𝘳𝘭!

Join us today, October 11 to celebrate girls, periods, and health. Help us reach girls across 6 continents with sustainable menstrual health solutions.

Let's make a difference because every girl matters!

If you want to donate online, here's our link (for donations to our chapter.)  As suggested in the previous post, there are so many ways to support our efforts--take a look.   

OCTOBER 19  =  NATIONAL PERIOD DAY

It's also my sister's 63rd birthday, but I'm pretty sure none of the rallies across the country are celebrating that milestone.  She's a little too private for countrywide rallies.

Thousands of rallies across the USA will be focusing attention on gender inequities and period poverty.  Last month I mentioned that California has a sales tax on menstrual supplies, but not chocolate.  Here are some more:

• In Arkansas, beer kegs aren't taxed, but pads are.
• In Hawaii, erectile dysfunction pills aren't taxed, but pads are.
• In Idaho, chainsaws aren't taxed, but pads are.
• In Michigan, doughnuts aren't taxed, but pads are.

The list goes on and on--menstrual products are still taxed in 35 states.  That tax is adversely affecting women, their families, and their futures.

That's what the rallies in cities across the US are about.  Celebrate National Period Day and speak up about the tampon tax.  

Here's a quick video from DFGI founder Celeste Mergens.

PERIOD SHAME

Funny to see Saturday Night Live's skit on period shaming.  

MAYBE IF WE ALL HAD THEM

Meanwhile, in a parallel universe . . . .   Thinx ad banned because of a string!  This one should put a smile on your face.

OUR SEPTEMBER WORKDAY

So much was accomplished October 5th.  We have the best volunteers and supporters, and I am so proud of what we create to change lives!

PIONEER QUILTERS' DONATION

Our Days for Girls Chapter was one of three nonprofits to share in the profit made at the Pioneer Quilters Quilt Show last month.  Our share is over $500, which means almost 5 dozen more girls will  receive kits to help them continue their educations and brighten their futures.  Thank you to all who purchased raffle tickets and admissions to make the show at the Cottage Grove Armory a big success, and thanks to Pioneer Quilters for choosing us as a beneficiary! If you know a Pioneer Quilter (other than me), please tell them how much this means to you--and the girls! 

A SOMBER NOTE

On September 13, I posted about a young Kenyan girl who took her own life after being humiliated by her teacher for staining her skirt the first day of her first period.  Our own volunteer Kalani wrote this moving tribute to Jacqueline:

JACQUELINE

Kenya, September, 2019

I heard the news of your suicide two days ago.

The ground came up to meet my knees as I slumped down, weeping. 

This cannot be, I cried, not one more time. 

Yet, it is, many times over, because

of the lack of education

and adults who

use girls as whipping posts and shame them, or as sexual objects,

trading sex for menstrual supplies.

How quickly can we meet a need that has gone on for years and years? 

How can we make haste to save these girls from the lacks they suffer? 

So many of us are on the move, preparing in any and all ways to 

supply these kits to girls. 

For many of us, any spare moment is spent in dedicated service to 

Days for Girls, 

And yet,

Another girl is gone.

All over the world, where women are treated as trash, 

they are dying.

In freezing cold huts where venomous snakes enter, 

they meet their deaths. An innocent 12-year old has killed herself. 

They are dying because of a natural cycle in their lives. 

Sitting here, warm and dry, I am attempting to forgive.

As a female priest and therapist working with survivors

Of sexual abuse, this is my calling. 

I must move past the rage I have felt since hearing the news,

Rage is not the answer—action is. 

I will find another half hour, another phone call where I

can work and finish bags simultaneously. 

I will make a shirt for all the Jacquelines so I can speak of this

If people ask,

These deaths will not be in vain, and one day, 

They will cease. 

(Rev. Dr.) Kalani Goins 

Eugene Chapter, Oregon