Title IX & Access to Menstrual Hygiene Products

Abstract

This summer was spent researching and gaining new knowledge surrounding the topic of Title IX and equal access to hygiene products for menstruating individuals. Once a week I met with Dr. Boatwright and a few peers over Microsoft teams to talk about what we did throughout the week regarding our SIP and the goals we wanted to obtain during the following week. This project was extremely experiential and provided an opportunity for me to conduct research and create a finished product I am proud of. Instead of just writing a paper, I wanted to do something that has a physical real outcome that I find beneficial to our whole Kalamazoo College Community, a menstrual hygiene product drive. Period Equity and Title IX have become two areas of study that are very important in my life. Title IX is the federal law that states there should be no discrimination based on sex for any participation in or receiving benefits. The lack of quality, protocol and access to free products at Kalamazoo in my opinion falls under a Title IX violation. Just because non-menstruating individuals do not need such products does not mean they should not be provided for those who do. Period poverty and the cost of products is a physical hardship on many college students across the country and in the Kalamazoo College community. The overall product of this Senior Individualized project is a campus community drive. I found through my conducted interviews and research, that while the school is missing protocol and budget for this area of need, social action would provide the best result instead of simply asking people for money. The drive will be taking place during winter term, while I work with Dr. Boatwright’s Feminist Psychology class for around eight to nine weeks of the term.