A joint effort to make menstruation a normal fact of life by 2030
PHILADELPHIA — Today, the Philadelphia Commission for Women and No More Secrets Mind Body and Spirit Inc. commemorated Menstrual Hygiene Day at City Hall, a global advocacy day to eliminate the stigma of menstruation, elevate access to menstrual hygiene products in schools and city-owned public restrooms, and combat period poverty. This event included a $25,000 donation from The GIANT Company to help raise awareness and serve vulnerable communities across Philadelphia.
Two-thirds of low-income women do not have the resources to buy menstrual products at some point within a given year. In Philadelphia, almost a quarter of residents live in poverty, with Black residents being about twice as likely to live in poverty as white residents, making good menstrual health difficult to achieve for many Philadelphians.
“Menstrual products are not covered in safety net subsidy programs like SNAP and are therefore out of reach for many menstruating people, including Philadelphians,” said Jovida Hill, Executive Director of the Philadelphia Commission for Women. “Together, we can initiate change by raising our voices to advocate for public policies that make free access to menstrual hygiene products and by ensuring that menstrual health is recognized as a human right.”
Attendees at today’s event heard from inspiring speakers like Lynette Medley, Founder of No More Secrets Mind Body and Spirit Inc. They also learned more about period poverty, participated in various activities, and received free menstrual hygiene products.
“By partnering with the Philadelphia Commission for Women, we are decreasing stigmas associated with uterine care and providing access to resources for those communities in the city who are most impacted,” said Lynette Medley, CEO and Founder of No More Secrets Mind Body and Spirit Inc.
In February 2021, No More Secrets Mind Body and Spirit Inc. opened the nation’s first Menstrual and Uterine Care Center, The SPOT Period, in Germantown where Medley and her daughter Nya McGlone have served more than 74,000 vulnerable girls and women nationwide, as well as distributed more than 11 million menstrual products.
Funds donated by The GIANT Company will be used to support the mission and efforts of The SPOT Period.
“Creating healthy communities is central to our purpose of connecting families for a better future,” said Aaysha Noor, Head of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion at The GIANT Company. “The GIANT Company is proud to support the Philadelphia Commission for Women and No More Secrets Mind Body and Spirit Inc. as they work to support the health and well-being of girls and women across Philadelphia, especially those who are most vulnerable, by improving access to menstrual hygiene products and end period poverty.”
Anyone interested in joining the movement to end period poverty and help get essential products to those in need can drop off menstrual care products at the Philadelphia Commission for Women collection site in City Hall, Room 115.
People can also make charitable contributions directly to No More Secrets Mind Body and Spirit Inc.
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About the Philadelphia Commission for Women:
The Philadelphia Commission for Women works to improve the lives of Philadelphia’s women, girls, and individuals who identify as female by advising City government on matters of public policy. The commission also hosts public forums on issues that impact women.
About No More Secrets Mind Body and Spirit Inc:
No More Secrets Mind Body and Spirit Inc. is a sexuality awareness and counseling non-profit organization, led by Lynette Medley a dedicated and highly skilled sexual awareness educator and counselor with more than 15 years of experience in the areas of sexuality, behavioral health, education, religion and advocacy. Alongside her daughter, Nya McGlone, the mother/daughter duo aim to change policies and generate awareness for period poverty and menstrual inequality.