(EDIT: Just a disclaimer: The issue is NOT the feminine hygiene products not being provided in general, but instead the location of the products. Please read further for more context.)

Tampons and pads are something that is provided here at Edwardsburg Public Schools, but they are never accessible directly in the bathrooms themselves. I believe that having them in the bathroom would be a better option. Imagine this: A girl attending EPS starts menstruating and doesn’t realize until she has bled through. She may not be able to afford to buy tampons or pads, therefore meaning she doesn’t have any on her. She shouldn’t have to walk all the way to the nurse that is located in the office just to get the products she needs. She should be able to go to the bathroom, a private place, and comfortably clean herself up and get a pad or tampon directly from the bathroom. As someone who has experienced this myself, doing the walk down to the office is very humiliating. Being seen after bleeding through your pants onto your clothing is not something I would wish on any girl. Not to mention, there are tampon and napkin dispensers in the bathrooms, but nothing in them. Also, you shouldn’t have to pay for them. Lots of students don’t carry change, nor are they able to access it. The menstrual cycle is not something you can control and having to pay for a necessity like that is not fair to the young women in our community. I want everyone to feel comfortable and know that they don’t have to worry because the school has their back. This is my petition for Edwardsburg Public schools to put free tampons and pads in each bathroom. Especially for the high school, middle school, and intermediate. I believe this will be beneficial. Now is the time to act so that no more girls will be affected. If you sign, that means you support my stance. Thank you.