Growing up in Texas, I witnessed firsthand the struggles faced by low-income individuals trying to access essential feminine products. It's a feeling of helplessness no one should endure—missing school or being distracted in class because of something as natural as menstruation.

Access to feminine hygiene products is not a luxury; it is a fundamental necessity. For many low-income families, the cost of sanitary products can become a financial burden. According to the Alliance for Period Supplies, one in four teens has missed class due to lack of access to period products. This statistic is not just a number; it represents students who feel embarrassed, isolated, and unprepared during their monthly cycle.

In our state of Texas, where education should be a top priority, it is time for our schools to step up and ensure that every student can attend classes with dignity and confidence. By providing free feminine products in schools, we can reduce absenteeism, boost confidence among students, and support academic achievement.

Several states in the United States, including California and Illinois, have already taken steps to provide free menstrual products in schools. By implementing such measures, Texas can join these progressive states in supporting the educational success and well-being of our young people.

It is straightforward and practical to install feminine product dispensers in school restrooms. Partnerships with charitable organizations and hygiene product manufacturers can help offset costs, making it feasible to provide these products at no charge.

Let us urge the Texas Education Agency and local school districts to prioritize this issue and acknowledge the basic right to hygiene and education for all students. Together, we can make Texas a state where no young person has to choose between their education and their health and dignity.

Sign this petition to ask our Texas lawmakers and school boards to introduce legislation and funding to provide free feminine products in our schools, supporting every student's right to education and well-being.