Free tampon initiative places menstrual products in Miami bathrooms

For menstruating students, it can be a nasty surprise to be left with none of the needed supplies when an unforeseen period strikes.

However, thanks to Periods Rock!, such surprises may be on their way toward becoming obsolete.

Periods Rock! was founded in 2018 by Richelle Frabotta, coordinator of the Sexuality Education Study Center, and a team of her Independent Studies students. The program advocates for increased access to menstrual products for Miami University students and the surrounding communities.

Periods Rock! focuses on holding product drives a couple times a semester to collect funding and period products for the people who need it the most. Last semester, the Periods Rock! Team started adding bins of the free menstrual products in McGuffey and Phillips Hall bathrooms.

Julia Pavoni, a student leader of Periods Rock!, said these bathrooms were chosen because the initiative is based in the college of Education, Health and Society.

A team of 10-11 Independent Studies students involved in Periods Rock! take turns restocking the bathrooms every Thursday.

“The bathrooms are usually mostly empty when we go to restock every Thursday,” Pavoni said. “It seems to be going really well for students and faculty.”

The group hopes to expand to buildings outside of McGuffey and Phillips in the future.

“[My favorite part is] the team, Pavoni said, “and being able to help people have those products and have that access.”

santram@miamioh.edu