Pilots Matter, Period is a coalition of students petitioning at the University of Portland for free feminine hygiene products such as pads and tampons to be distributed in restrooms throughout campus. This initiative was organized by the American Medical Women’s Association and is supported by ASUP and the American Medical Women's Association Premedical Division as a branch of their Women Matter, Period task force.

Although tampons and pads are necessary for those that menstruate monthly, these products are often seen as a luxury item in today’s society. Many women either do not have the access or are unable to afford these products. As many women have experienced, when there is no access to menstrual products, they resort to lining their underwear with toilet paper. Others may use a pad or tampon for longer than they should, and this leads to medical problems such as toxic shock syndrome.

Menstruating is a normal biological process, and this should not impede the education of those who cannot afford these products or because there are not adequate supplies on campus. The cost of this program may deter some from supporting it, but according to Free the Tampons Foundation, the cost of providing free menstrual products for an entire year is just $4.67 per student. Additionally, several schools have successfully convinced their administration to offer free tampons and pads for students, including Elon and Saint Louis University, two catholic universities of the same size as UP.

A program that provides these products around campus will not only be a heavily used service once implemented, it may also help to remove the major stigma around menstruation. Menstruation – and products like tampons and pads that are needed monthly – are seen as taboo topics. Without more discussion around this issue, lawmakers could continue an existing “Tampon tax” – in place in 35 states in the U.S. – because they are not seen as a “medical necessity.” Meanwhile, products like dandruff shampoo and Rogaine (a medication to treat baldness) are tax-exempt. We as a society should feel just as comfortable talking about dry scalps and baldness as we are talking about a period. Just as toilet paper, hand soap, and paper towels are provided in the bathrooms, tampons and pads should be too. This is especially important when 60% of our student body at UP identify as female. As New York Congresswoman, Grace Meng, states: “By making these essential feminine health products available in schools, we are helping young women become confident, successful adults.”

Whether you menstruate or not, we strongly encourage you to sign this petition.

When signing, please be sure to use your “up.edu” email so that we can show the University of Portland that all the signees are UP students. If you have friends that are interested in this cause but attend a different school, please encourage them to reach out to premedpres.elect@amwa-premed.org to learn how to start a petition at their school! If you have any questions regarding this petition, please contact us at amwa@up.edu.