Problem
Through the adolescence stage, girls between ages 13 and up usually hit puberty and begin their periods. As these can change the development and structure of the female body, mothers and guardians have a multitude of hygiene lessons they make sure us girls must know. Periods can occur at any given moment and can be an embarrassing predicament especially when unprepared at inconvenient moments such as school. Although during moments like these where periods can be a hassle, it is an typical situation to fix and girls can already understand what needs to be done. However, when a school does not prevent items to help us girls take care of ourselves, the outcome leads to embarrassment but more importantly, health risks. When women leave a tampon in for more than 8 hours, studies have depicted how it can lead to violent seizures, toxic shock syndrome, and worse. Now in a situation where items such as tampon dispeners or pad dispensers aren’t provided, the typical teenage girl soon begins to panic as they prepare themselves for the embarrassment they are about to face in the nurse’s office. Though, things do not have to end in this way.

Solution
Therefore, like the legislation that enforced Illinois public and charter schools to provide tampon and pad dispensers, more legislations need to be created so all school districts, nationwide, can contribute pad and tampon dispensers in all girl bathrooms within the building.

Personal story
My name is Jade Jackson from plainfield school district and I am writing this as one of the many voices of the individuals who have experienced this type of situation. I have heard a tremendous amount of stories from girls who have been in a awkward situation due to getting their period during school but not having the option to help themselves, within the own privacy of the school bathroom due to their own school not having these dispensers. I have also heard a multitude of horror stories of women who have died due to not changing their tampon enough or not taking better care of themselves when on their menstrual cycle. Coming from a state where pads and tampon dispensers are provided and knowing the relief and gratitude I have whenever i’m in the same situation, I cannot imagine why a school board wouldn’t consider this beneficial and vital feature. As women have the right to take care of their needs and receive the best health services, I believe this dispenser is a necessity and basic right as it would help women situate themselves in moments like this.