According to the American Medical Women’s Association, the term ‘‘period poverty’’ refers to the lack of proper accessibility and limited affordability of menstrual health and hygiene resources including educational tools, sanitary products, washing facilities, and waste management. (Lea Sacca, 2024)
Here is a bit of data addressing period poverty in our country:
According to a national survey drawn from a survey conducted on 1,000 teens aged 13 to 19, 1 in 5 teens in the US have struggled with affording menstrual products and more than 84 percent of participants reported having missed classes or know someone who has missed classes due to lack of access to period products.
Fun fact: 79 percent of the participants believed we receive more education about biology of frogs than biology of the human female body in school.
How do we take action to help with making period products and period education equally and easily accessible to everyone? What steps of the organizations where we work and study have taken?
In this blog, I’ll be gathering and sharing information about the steps, however small, we can take to reduce period poverty where we live, where we study, and where we work. I will also be gathering and sharing information about the steps University of Washington and Cascadia Community College have taken to minimize period poverty among their students.
What University of Washington Bothell and Cascadia College provide:
For Cascadia Students, Kodiak Cave offers tampons and pads in their food pantry for students to take during their four trips to the Cave each quarter. They also sometimes provide other products that have been donated, like diva cups or lite liners. The Kodiak Cave specialist, Samantha Brown, with whom I had a conversation, also provided me with an Amazon wish list through which you can see the available products in their pantry and buy the products where they will be automatically delivered to the pantry.
Cascadia College also shares a document including the addresses and contact information of multiple local community services that provide food, healthcare, housing, childcare, clothing, etc. to individuals who need them.
Moreover, in both UWB and CC, tampons and pads are accessible in gender inclusive and women’s restrooms.
How we can help minimize period poverty inside or outside of our school:
Purchase feminine hygiene products manufacturers that help fight peiod poverty.
A list of these manufacturers are:
Cora:
This company has donated 24 million feminine care products so far.
“We believe everyone should have access to period care–full stop.”
With every purchase you make, Cora provides period products and body literacy resources to people who might otherwise go without.
Lunette: Lunette donates cups to initiatives addressing period poverty through their “Cup for Good” program. Organic Initiative (Oi) also supports various initiatives promoting period poverty alleviation.
Ruby Cup: For every menstrual cup purchased, Ruby Cup donates one to someone in need in low-income countries through their “Buy One Give One” program.
Saalt: Saalt sells menstrual cups and has a program called “Saalt Gives” where they donate cups to people in need in underserved communities around the world.
You can also help support organizations who aim to minimize period poverty by ensuring that more and more menstruating individuals have access to affordable menstrual products. You can support these organizations by donating or participating in volunteer and advocacy opportunities they provide.
Here is a list of these organizations and how each of them provides opportunities for us to take a step in minimizing period poverty:
Days for Girls:
“We increase access to menstrual care and education by developing global partnerships, cultivating Social Enterprises, mobilizing volunteers and innovating sustainable solutions that shatter stigma and limitations for women and girls.”
Days for Girls provides holistic menstrual health education, helps increase the accessibility of menstrual products for all individuals, trains Social Entrepreneurs and partners with government and health organizations to advances global menstrual equity.
In order to support this organization, you can
Donate: You can donate funds either once or on a monthly basis or you can donate products to people who need them, through DfG’s website. DfG provides various other ways to donate on their website including creating your own fundraiser or donating your wedding registry. You can check all donating options through their website: https://www.daysforgirls.org/ways-to-give/
Another way to get involved with DfG is through connecting to a DfG team in your area, or even better than that, to start a club in your school/college that partners with DfG. This can be an opportunity for you to join in on advocacy efforts to influence positive change for minimizing period poverty within your own school. You can also contribute to DfG’s mission through organizing fundraising events.
“We give period products to those who can’t afford them and provide reproductive health education to those less likely to access it. And we help everybody talk about periods!“
The three main missions of this organization is to Deliver, Educate, and Normalize. There are several ways through which you can contribute to their mission.
To help Deliver, you can donate once, on a monthly basis, or annually. You can also help with organizing fundraising activities. Some ways BGP suggests for fundraising are:
Buying a period quiz and playing it with friends, colleagues, and family,
Selling the closet items you are not wearing anymore and donating the money to BGP,
Organizing a bake-sale event and fundraising,
Organizing a club in your school or college through which you can start small fundraising events for BGP,
To help Educate, you can become or invite a professional you know to become a Medical Volunteer who partners with BGP to lead 1.5 hour educational sessions focusing on Menstrual, Sexual and Reproductive Health. Although unfortunately BGP currently doesn’t take any further applications for other volunteering opportunities, they suggest you to sign up for their newsletter to stay updated on the upcoming volunteering opportunities.
To help Normalize, share posts on your social media accounts and use #PeriodPenalty hashtag. One example hashtag posts shared on BGP website is:
“I find it extremely difficult because I get quite bad PMS with regards to emotion and my male manager thinks it is okay to ridicule me for this whilst also managing to say it is fake. So I would only ever talk about menstruation with my female colleague, never with male leadership”
Sustainable Health Enterprises (SHE):
“SHE is helping women jump-start social businesses to manufacture and distribute affordable menstrual pads. Coupled with health education and advocacy, girls and women will have even more productive lives than before.”
This organization approaches minimizing period poverty through Debunking Stereotypes, Reclaiming Local Resources, Investing in New Ideas and People, and Launching Entrepreneurs to Improve Lives.
Tons of trunk fiber is thrown away by banana farmers in Rwanda every year. SHE provides these farmers with equipment and training, so that they can process and sell the trunk fibers to them. Then, SHE takes the processed fibers to their community factory to be cut, carded, washed, fluffed, and solar dried under a US Patent approved manufacturing process. The manufactured menstrual pads are sold at an affordable price to schools and individuals who need them! They also “debunk myths and taboos” about periods through health and hygiene education in schools and community.
If you are willing to contribute to SHE’s mission, you can join in their SHE28 campaign by making one-time or monthly donations through their website.
A Final “Period” Note:
Menstruation, a natural yet painful experience endured by half of the world’s population, remains steeped in stigma. Body shaming and societal taboos have isolated many menstruating individuals, leaving them uninformed about their own bodies and proper care. To make living with period as close to convenience as possible, specialized hygiene products are essential, but their accessibility remains a global challenge. High-quality and sustainable options, often deemed luxurious in many places around in the world, are financially out of reach for too many.
It is also important to acknowledge that, “Not all women menstruate, and not all menstruators are women.” It’s necessary to recognize the diversity of menstruating individuals beyond traditional gender norms and respect all experiences of menstruation.
Lack of reproductive health education perpetuates cycles of pain, illness, and inequality, and a world with inequality for half of its population is similar to a bird with an injured wing, unable to soar.
Our collective responsibility lies in removing these barriers. Through awareness, education, and providing accessible products, we can foster a world where menstruation is understood and managed without shame or obstacle. Each small step towards equity strengthens all humanity.
Citations:
Sacca, L. (2024). Period Poverty in U.S. College Students. Journal of Women’s Health (Larchmont, N.Y. 2002), 33(1), 1–2. https://doi.org/10.1089/jwh.2023.0868
As I am a senior and graduating this quarter, I wanted to give back by sharing all of the knowledge I have gathered about the University of Washington Bothell and Cascadia College during my time here. In this blog post, I will provide a complete overview of essential services, ways to get involved, things to do, and helpful tips to make your experience as easy and enjoyable as possible. I loved being on this campus and hope that you can takeaway some of my advice, so that you can also have the best college experience!
Where can I find…
Homework Help
University of Washington Bothell
If you are a UW Bothell student in need of help with your assignments, you will likely want to visit the Academic Learning Commons in UW2-030.
It is home to the Quantitative Skills Center (QSC), which offers FREE academic peer tutoring both drop-in and online. They tutor in most STEM courses/majors, such as Computer Science, Biology, Engineering, Math, or any other course that requires quantitative reasoning. They also offer support in using different software and technology, test preparation, and test anxiety.
The QSC also provides a range of different equipment for students to check-out, including calculators, textbooks, molecular modeling sets, whiteboards, and more. Just be sure to bring your Husky Card!
Also in UW2-030, is the Writing and Communication Center (WaCC). If you’re looking for assistance writing a paper, creating a presentation, or writing a personal statement, this is the place to go. You can make an appointment via the Navigate Student app, their appointment form, or drop-in online through Zoom. The WaCC is super helpful and will provide you with feedback on your work no matter what stage of the writing process you are at!
Another resource on campus is the Open Learning Lab (UW2-140). Not only is this a space for all students to access and use computers (both Windows and Apple) with pre-installed software, such as Final Cut Pro, Adobe, ArcGIS, and more, but the Open Learning Lab also provides drop-in tutoring on all of these tools listed, as well as general digital media software help.
And, one last tip – don’t be afraid to reach out to your professors for help on your assignments. Take advantage of their office hours to go over the homework or ask questions. Remember they are here to teach and support you!
Cascadia College
For Cascadia students, you will want to visit the Bock Learning Center (CC2-060). There you can get free in-person and online tutoring, computer services, calculator rentals, as well as general workspace. This is also where you can acquire your Cascadia student ID card. Tutoring is available in subjects, such as math, chemistry, writing, and even public speaking. You can also print and scan documents here.
Career help
University of Washington Bothell
Are you looking for an internship, job, help with your resume / cover letter, or interview prep? Visit Career Services in UW1-160!
Career Services aims to guide Huskies in their career journey by empowering them in their interests, helping them build their skills, and connecting them with professionals and employers. They offer appointments via drop-in and online in a variety of areas, such as resume/cover letter review, mock interviews, LinkedIn profile review, job/internship search strategies, and graduate school application prep.
I personally have submitted my resume for review at Career Services when I was in the process of applying to internships and they provided valuable feedback in under 2 days. One time a Career Services staff even came into one of my classes to do a workshop on salary negotiation, which I learned A LOT from. They gave our class so many tips and actionable items that will help us now and in the future, so I definitely recommend checking out their services.
Career Services also provides a schedule of career-related campus events. They host workshops, career fairs, and information sessions that you can attend to build your professional skillset and network. I recommend taking advantage of the career fairs, which are hosted each quarter, because there is no better way to get your name out there, connect with employers, and explore different companies all in one place! They typically have a general career fair, a STEM career fair, and sometimes virtual fairs.
Cascadia College
For Cascadia students, you can visit the Career & Transfer Office (Kodiak Corner, CC1). They offer assistance with planning for your future careers and with the transfer process. The Cascadia College “Career Exploration” website also has a page for all things career-related, such as job searching, career assessments, major info sessions, application help, and any upcoming events. This is a super helpful resource and includes a lot of useful information and tips for students who are currently looking for jobs or want to build the skills needed to pursue a certain career.
Study Spots
Campus Library
Though I may be a bit biased because I work at the library, I think one of the best study spots on campus is the library! It has three levels worth of study area for students – the first floor is best for group collaboration and zoom calls (normal chatter level), the second floor has lots of comfy chairs as well as bigger tables for group work (lower chatter level), and the third floor is perfect for quiet studying with many individual study carrels, study rooms available for reservation, and our silent reading room with a beautiful view of the wetlands through the floor to ceiling windows (quiet-silent chatter level).
I really like using the study rooms when I need a quiet space to call into a Zoom meeting or want to study with friends. The study rooms can be reserved online for up to two hours. You can only have one active reservation at a time and you can book two weeks in advance. Each study room contains a projector/TV, whiteboard, scratch paper, and writing utensils.
Activities and Recreation Center (ARC)
Another great place to get work done is the ARC. The top floor (ARC Overlook) is a big open space filled with lots of tables and chairs, as well as a video game alcove and gaming tables if you ever need to take a break during your study sessions. This floor is also lined with giant windows, so you get some natural light and a nice view!
They also have meeting rooms available to students that are first-come first-serve if they are not already booked by student clubs/organizations.
Zoom Pods
A new addition to the campus are Zoom Pods! There are several located in the UW2 building on the first floor near the cafe / Gold Brew. They are individual pods available on a first-come first-serve basis with a limited use of 90 minutes. These are a great option if you need to quickly jump on a call or join an online class.
Study Alcoves and Other Resources
Each building on campus has study areas and alcoves on most floors. I’ve used these spaces to do a little homework or review for an exam before my class begins. It is super convenient on days I have classes, because I don’t have to account for the walk time to the classroom after my study sessions.
Another really useful resource is the Scout website. It lists in detail every study space available at UW Bothell. You can scroll through each building, look at photos of each spot, and find where on campus works best for you!
Food and Drink
Terrace Dining Pavilion
Over the past couple of years, the campus has been undergoing many renovations and changes, one of which includes the construction of the new dining hall! This is super exciting, because the campus has never had an official dining hall before. It is located next to the new residential and dorm building on the north side of campus (near the bus stop). The dining hall has multiple spots for different types of food, lots of seating on both floors, and to-go and online ordering options.
The lower level has FoodLab and Clean Plate, which are two a la carte options. FoodLab has a variety of to-go bowls that rotate each week. Clean Plate has acai and create-your-own bowls, and is great if you’re looking for a more allergen friendly option.
The upper floor has Urban Kitchen and Market Bar, which offers to-go burgers, flatbreads, and sandwiches, as well as “all-you-care-to-eat” options including a buffet and salad bar. There is also The Drop, which features burgers, chicken, burritos, and fries. They open in the evenings, so it is the perfect place to satisfy your late night cravings!
The POD Market
The Market is right next door to the Campus Library and sells a variety of small food items and snacks. They have candy, chips, refrigerated drinks, traditional household essentials, as well as Alki Bakery sandwiches, parfaits, and pastries. If you’re looking for something quick to eat or need to grab a little food in between classes, the POD Market is the place to go.
Gold Brew
Gold Brew is the campus cafe! It is located on the first level of the UW2 building. They serve Starbucks coffee and tea and Alki Bakery sandwiches and sweets. Gold Brew also has a selection of other refrigerated drinks, such as RedBull and juices. There is a lot of seating in the cafe area where students eat their lunch or study with a yummy drink in-hand! Fun fact: Gold Brew has microwaves that students can use to heat up their food.
Husky Pantry and Kodiak Cave
An amazing resource on campus for both UW Bothell and Cascadia students is the Husky Pantry (ARC-120) and Kodiak Cave (LB2-006, right next to Campus Safety), respectively. They are both food resource centers for any student facing food insecurity. Whether you’re in between paychecks or need a little extra help to get through the week, Husky Pantry and Kodiak Cave are there to meet your needs.
Husky Pantry offers grocery staple items, seasonal products, hygiene and toiletry products (all non-perishable). Kodiak Cave offers both perishable and non-perishable items, such as kitchen essentials, breakfast items, soups, frozen fruit, frozen and canned meat/proteins, dairy, and more. Both centers function as a “choice pantry,” so students can walk-in and pick the items they need.
For additional food and wellness resources or questions, visit the Health and Wellness Resource Center (HaWRC) in ARC-120 or view their website.
Getting Involved & Things To Do On Campus
Events
The best way to be more involved on campus and feel like a part of the student community is to attend campus events. There are not only educational events, such as career fairs, workshops, and seminars, although there are many available to students, but the campus also organizes fun recreational events, too. For instance, I’ve seen events for open mics, movie nights, and even prom! There is also a Welcome Week at the beginning of each academic year for both new and returning students to participate in fun games, win school swag and prizes, and meet new people. Usually, at many of these events they provide free food, as well, which you can never pass up!
Another great way to get involved is joining a club! UW Bothell and Cascadia have a variety of clubs in a number of different categories, such as academic, cultural, religious, political, recreational, and even some that might be related to your favorite hobby. For example, we have STEM clubs, business/marketing clubs, student associations, book clubs, dancing/singing clubs, gaming clubs, and many more.
If you don’t know what you’re interested in or want to explore more about the clubs on campus, a club fair is hosted every quarter where you can walk around to their booths and get to know what their club does. There is also fun activities you can participate in and swag you can win if you visit enough booths. Most club tables have some goodies you can take with you, too!
The clubs themselves host lots of events and meetings throughout the year that you can attend regularly. I think finding a community of people who share the same interests as you is the perfect way to make new friends and feel more involved.
I have personally joined and am an officer for the Bothell Women in Science and Engineering Club (BWiSE) and love interacting and spending time with other students who have similar goals and passions. Although we all get quite busy with school, I think it is so beneficial to be involved in extracurriculars or dedicate some time towards things outside of classes as it will help you feel more fulfilled during your time at college and it allows you to surround yourself with people who you know will support you.
On the first and second floor of the ARC, it has a video game alcove, as well as games that students can get from the front desk to use. The library also has a selection of video games for multiple different consoles that students can check-out and play at the game alcove. It is a great space for socializing with friends and a fun activity that you can do while on campus!
Fitness Center and Classes in the ARC
The ARC also has a fitness center on the lower level with a bunch of different types of gym equipment. No need to pay for an expensive gym membership elsewhere – students can use the campus fitness center for free! It’s open 8am-10pm on most days.
They offer group fitness classes almost every day, such as yoga, pilates, indoor cycling, and more. This is definitely something to take advantage of while you’re a student here, so that you, again, don’t have to pay for those classes, and the location is also super convenient since you’re already on campus anyways and you could even sign up with one of your friends/colleagues here.
To view all upcoming fitness classes, go to the ARC calendar.
Intramural Activities / Sports
Another thing that the ARC organizes is intramural activities, where students have the opportunity to gather and play traditional team sports or other leisure activities regardless of skill or ability at no cost. This includes leagues, play-offs, and tournaments. Some examples of the activities are basketball, flag football, soccer, card games, board games, and alternative gaming.
This is a good way to be part of a team, meet new people, relieve stress, and even obtain leadership roles. To sign up for intramural activities, you can go to their website sign-up page.
Outdoor Wellness
UW Bothell and Cascadia have a super cool community group called “Outdoor Wellness.” They offer outdoor programs, events, and trips, including activities like hiking, indoor rock climbing, camping, snow sports, and many more! For information about their upcoming events, check this schedule.
Don’t worry if you’ve never tried any of these activities or feel like you’re still a beginner, because they have trip options for all skill levels. Also, if you don’t have your own gear or equipment, you can rent some at no cost at the Nest Gear Shop (lower level of ARC) for 14 days. They have a variety of gear, such as backpacks, camping essentials, clothing and footwear, climbing/snow/water gear, and much more. You can also use the gear for your own personal outdoor trips! It is first-come-first-serve, though, so be sure to plan in advance by contacting the shop early about gear availability. To find more information or view a comprehensive list of gear offered, you can visit their website.
Also related to getting outside, the campus has a beautiful wetlands that you can visit by walking along the paved sidewalk on the perimeter of the wetlands or go down the boardwalk into the wetlands (just be sure to stay on the path/boardwalk – you will need a permit to explore further). It is located past the ARC building and next to the sports fields (see map). Going outside and being surrounded by nature is the perfect way to clear your mind and de-stress, especially during the hustle and bustle of your school days. When visiting the wetlands, please remember to be respectful by keeping noise to a minimum, not leaving trash, and not disturbing the plants or animals.
If you’re the kind of person who likes more of an exercise though, the same trail you cross to get to the wetlands is also called the North Creek Trail where people can bike, walk, and run. It is an easy route to follow and is usually very peaceful as you won’t encounter many other people. It is super accessible for those on campus and is a great place to take a break while getting in a little exercise.
Visit the Collaboratory
Another cool space on campus that recently got renovated is the Collaboratory (DISC-152). It is a creative and open environment that provides a range of equipment and materials in which students can use to work on academic or personal projects, prototypes, art/design, and fabrication. They have machines, such as 3D printers, laser cutters, cricuts (computer-controlled cutting machines used for cutting paper, felt, vinyl, fabric, and more), button makers, modeling softwares, and more, as well as materials, such as printing filaments, woods, plastics, and metals. These resources are all free to students, however since they have limited materials they do ask that you try to bring in your own supplies after your first few visits.
Before your first visit, it is required that you complete their Collaboratory Orientation by filling out this form if you plan to use any materials from them. You can also go there in-person and speak to a staff member who can walk you through how to use the equipment – they are always happy to help!
Coming to the Collaboratory and getting creative is a great way to spend time on campus, especially when all the supplies are already provided to you. One of my coworkers made a beautiful personalized keychain with her own custom print and last time I was there I watched someone 3D printing a piece of their Halloween costume!
Visit the Mobius Art Gallery
Another wonderful thing to check-out on campus is the Mobius Art Gallery located in the CC3 building. There is always an amazing exhibition on display and they put out a new one every couple of months or so. Currently, an exhibition called “Where We Are” by Sarah Dillon is in the gallery with a theme of self-reflection, creativity, social analysis, and human interaction. To see information about the current exhibition, as well as previous ones, you can check out the gallery’s website.
Similar to being outside in nature, I think visiting the art gallery is a great space to find relaxation, inspiration, or reflection. I find that putting myself in a quiet, peaceful place and viewing art can help calm my body and mind. It is also fascinating how art can elicit different feelings and emotions, and even help in sparking creativity. The Mobius Art Gallery is definitely a must-see during your time here on campus!
“Did you know…”
The new STEM building, Innovation Hall (opened Winter 2024), is shared between both the UWB and Cascadia College campus.
The Campus Library doesn’t just have textbooks! They have a large selection of recreational books and other items available for checkout (fiction books, graphic novels, comics, video games, and more).
Students get 6 FREE 45-minute counseling sessions per academic year in the Counseling Center (UW1-080).
UW Bothell alumni within 3 years of graduation can schedule an appointment with a career coach at Career Services (UW1-160).
The WaCC doesn’t just offer services to current UW Bothell students, but also to anyone who is applying to UW Bothell or is a UW Bothell alumni.
Campus Safety offers safety escorts for anyone that ever feels uncomfortable, fearful or apprehensive about walking alone between points on campus.
The change in seasons can effect people in different ways, especially when there is a significant change, such as going from a warm season to a cold one. It’s critical to be aware of some of the things that may happen so that you’re better prepared. While we, including myself, may think that we understand how to prepare, it may be a good idea to receive a refresher on some key points. This winter season has been a chilly one.
Securing everything for the winter doesn’t have to be a huge hassle! All it takes is just double-checking that everything is working, and taking action to restore anything that might need to be replaced. This would ease some of the stressors during the winter for you and your wallet.
Each upcoming winter season, my family and I like to take initiative steps to ensure we have some of the basics to survive a cold winter. We like to ensure we stock up on essentials such as perishable food items, water, portable charges (so that you’re able to charge your device without needing an outlet), flashlights, batteries, etc. Having these things on hand would be beneficial because as many of us know, Washington enjoys being unpredictable. It’s not fun having to make the trip to the store during harsh road conditions, so why not take these preventative measures so that you’re able to stay warm and safe during this chilly time?
Winter and Your Home
Some things that you can do to winterize your house can be things like:
Ensure that electrical, installation, and wiring are free from any possible damages or tears.
Check your heater systems, smoke detectors, alarms, etc.
Stocking up on any perishable and canned foods, water, medications, batteries, etc. (this would be crucial in case there were any power outages)
Having extra blankets, candles, and flashlights at the ready
Obtaining a fire extinguisher and first aid kit in the event of something unexpected
Winter and Your Vehicle
Many people tend to enjoy driving in the snow. I encourage staying home so that you’re safe, but with that said, there are times when it’s inevitable to make the journey outside. Having our vehicles prepared for these times is just as important as winterizing your house. Another factor to consider would be to make sure your vehicle is set for the winter.
A few things that I like to do to make sure my car is prepared are:
Checking my tires and tire pressure (to make sure the thread is still good and there aren’t any tears)
Having a first aid kit in the car
Checking my overall engine for any potential leaks, smells, unusual sounds, etc.
For more information about keeping your vehicle ready for the winter season, I’d recommend referencing the Kelly Blue Book. They provide excellent information that is concise and easy to follow.
Winter and School
Having to worry about school during the winter season can be stressful. I think it is important to be attentive to school alerts regarding a closure due to any inclement weather. If there isn’t an emergent reason to go out, especially since school might be closed, just stay home. Your safety and that of those around you matter. The bright side to this is that the University of Washington Bothell and Cascadia College both have alert sign-ups so that you can be up-to-date with any updates about a potential closure.
When I have to commute somewhere, and there is snow on the roads, I like to reference the WA State DOT Traffic Cameras to get a glimpse of how prepared I should be or if I should remain at home until the time being.
Preparing for the winter season doesn’t have to be hectic. I think that taking initiative to ensure you have everything settled is key to surviving a cold winter season. The following sources are a great reference to use when preparing for the winter season.
Remaining indoors due to the inclement weather doesn’t have to be boring! The UW Bothell / Cascadia College Campus Library and the King County Library System both have excellent resources and online access for you to keep busy with e-books, podcasts, and more! If you’d like to search for podcasts or episodes, Listen Notes has an excellent selection of online podcasts that will help keep you entertained on a snowy day!
Remember to stay safe and cozy out there!
Title background image captured from: Wallpaperbat