As a result of the Trump administration’s endless attack on Reproductive Rights, the future of menstrual equity in the United States gets seemingly murkier each day. An article from Groundswell reports that “an individual person can spend approximately $5600 over their lifetime.” Expensive menstrual care products are just part of the larger issue with menstrual equity. Isabel Fields ’21 and Kris Mereigh, Director of Wellness Services & Health Education, share thoughts on how With the Flow, an affiliate program of Wellness Services, seeks to bring about changes to menstrual equity on campus.
1. How did “With the Flow” start? Has it always been a subsection of Smith Students for Reproductive Justice?
Isabel: WTF was created last year by a few members of Smith Students for Reproductive Justice (SSRJ) applying for a grant through Planned Parenthood (PP). SSRJ is a Generation Action chapter, meaning they are a campus affiliated with PP. WTF has a grant from PP meaning we are a Campus Campaign through Gen. Action. We are connected with SSRJ and support each other, but we have autonomy over our grant. Last year, we were part of the beta program from Campus Campaigns [where we received a] $5,000 grant, but this year, we are one of 200 schools across the country that received a $4,500 grant. We also received an Innovation Project Grant from President McCarthy last year for [$2,300].
2. Are there any new projects or collaborative efforts that With the Flow is working on this year?
Although the Wellness Services would be happy to provide disposable menstrual products to the community, our limited budget forces us to have to choose between the distribution of latex products versus menstrual products. Sexual/Reproductive health wins out each time, with the goal of reducing the burden of students having to buy latex products in public venues. To get around this issue… we encouraged and assisted WTF with their application for a Presidential Innovation Grant. Together, we are hoping to launch a pilot program that will eventually get a disposable menstrual product into the hands of every student that wants one. In the meantime, as this is our first year with monies from both Planned Parenthood and the Innovation grants, we are hoping to educate the community about reusable menstrual products and distribute products to tea attendees. For a more sustainable program, we are working closely with Kris Mereigh, Director of Wellness Services, to create a student fund for menstrual care. Students would order their cups via their HWLs and they would then be picked up from the HWL or from Wellness Services, dependent on the student’s comfort level. We are launching a beta program in a few houses (Lamont, Cushing, Emerson, King, and Park) on November 1st. Once we have evaluated the pilot [and the] system of distribution, the form will then open to all houses the following semester.
3. What does menstrual equity mean to you? What would it look like on Smith College’s campus?
Menstrual equity, to me, means that everyone has the right to find what works for their menstrual cycle. WTF aims to bridge the economic barrier by providing menstrual cups on a sliding scale. While menstrual cups aren’t the only way to bridge the menstrual equity gap, they combine environmental awareness, economic accessibility and health education. Menstrual cups typically sell for $45, but we sell them on a sliding scale [with] a maximum [cost] of $20. Moreover, they last for up to 10 years, saving students hundreds of dollars. Menstrual equity, at Smith, would entail free access to menstrual products (including cups, tampons and pads) and menstrual education to all students.
4. With the Trump administration and the recent confirmation of Brett Kavanaugh onto the Supreme, what are your fears or concerns about the future of reproductive rights in the United States?
I am afraid for our whole country. The attack on reproductive rights is despicable. This is why I am eternally grateful for organizations such as Planned Parenthood, who encompass grassroots organizing. The 200 PP campus campaigns across the country give me hope for change. Our generation has the potential to fix our society, but we have a long road ahead of us. This is why the 2018 midterm election is incredibly important. We need to take back the House to assure that reproductive rights are protected and to ensure that we can make progress and gain more reproductive rights because there is so much more to improve on.
5. What advice would you give to students who want to be involved in activism surrounding reproductive justice, women’s health, gender, etc. but are unsure of where to start?
There are so many ways to get involved. You can come to WTF meetings on Thursdays at 8:00 p.m. downstairs in the CC (or you can email me at ifields@smith.edu). You can go to SSRJ meetings. Or, if you don’t have time for those, joining PP mailing lists [and] going to the periodic phone banks are also small ways to be effective. In my opinion, even staying [educated] about politics is a way to be involved. Educate yourself and educate others.
6. What can students do to stay in the loop about events With the Flow is planning?
You can find us on Facebook or come to weekly meetings. You can also find us tabling throughout the year in the CC.
