Sophia Bush is fighting to end “period poverty”—here��s an easy way to help her

Claire Harmeyer

Nothing should stand between girls and their education—especially not their periods. For young girls, navigating their changing bodies is stressful enough without the added strain of missing school because they don’t have the necessary products to deal with their period. When Aunt Flo comes to town, no one should have to worry about where they can find a tampon or pad so that they can go to class.

Access to period products should not be a privilege; it should be a right. Sophia Bush knows this, which is why she’s partnering with Always to end period poverty in the United States. And yes, Brooke Davis is cheering all the way from Tree Hill.

What exactly is period poverty?

Period poverty refers to the issue of young girls not having access to adequate period care. According to the Always Confidence & Puberty Local Market Study, almost one in five girls in the U.S. have missed school due to lack of access to period products. To put this number in perspective, it includes 143,000 girls in the New York City area and 88,000 girls in the Los Angeles area.

“Period poverty is a real, devastating issue, and it creates gender disparity and inequality that lasts for so many decades,” Bush told Refinery29.

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When I think about #BackToSchool season, and all of the joy that school brought to me (this serious tween face aside) I think about possibility and potential. To learn that nearly 1 in 5 girls in the United States has her potential cut short and winds up missing school because of period poverty? I was aghast. 88,000 girls in the Los Angeles area alone have missed school because their family couldn’t afford period protection. Period poverty affects girls EVERYWHERE. And I believe that we have to bring awareness to this disparity so we can actively start solving this education crisis. That’s why I’m partnering with @Always_brand as they continue their mission to #EndPeriodPoverty and keep girls in school. Last year they donated 20 million products to girls in need through @FeedingAmerica, and this year we want to donate millions more! As a long time education access advocate, I truly believe nothing should stand in the way of a girl and her education. Nothing! Certainly not her period. During the month of September, you can spark product donations and support local period heroes who are already making a difference. Join us! Head to always.com/endperiodpoverty to learn more. #ad #AlwaysPartner #EducationIsEverything

A post shared by Sophia Bush (@sophiabush) on Sep 10, 2019 at 8:43pm PDT

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To fight this prevalent issue, Always launched its #EndPeriodPoverty campaign in 2018, donating more than 20 million period products to young girls in the U.S. last year. This year, Always partnered with the Feeding America network of food banks and is aiming to provide even more period products to keep girls in school, no matter when their period might unexpectedly arrive.

How can we support this important cause?

There are a few ways you can do your part to #EndPeriodPoverty. First, you can buy a pack of Always pads at participating retailers. This equals a pad donation to the Feeding America network. Second, for each like or comment on #EndPeriodPoverty social media posts, Always will donate an additional pad to a girl in need, up to a total donation of 1 million period products. Finally, spread the #EndPeriodPoverty hashtag on Instagram and Twitter to continue raising awareness on this issue. Watch one girl’s story below.

Emily represents thousands of girls experiencing period poverty across the United States. Let’s work to #EndPeriodPoverty together.