Michigan students expand campaign to tackle period poverty in local schools

Students at Midland High School in Michigan are helping ensure that a lack of menstrual products does not prevent young people from attending lessons or participating fully in school life.

The school’s National Honor Society, known in the US as the NHS, established its Period Hygiene subcommittee three years ago after students learned about period poverty at a Women’s Summit organised by the Michigan Association of Secondary School Principals.

The group now provides free, good-quality menstrual products in restrooms across all four Midland Public Schools secondary campuses: Midland and Dow high schools, and Jefferson and Northeast middle schools. Products are also available in many classrooms so students can access them discreetly without having to leave lessons for extended periods.

The initiative aims to reduce absence, lateness and other disruption caused when students cannot afford or readily obtain period products. US campaign group Period estimates that one in four students struggles to afford the supplies they need, while those on low incomes may miss school, work or other activities as a result.

Community organisation Midland 100 Club has supported the project for a third consecutive year through a collection held at its September meeting. Members donated almost 3,400 menstrual products alongside $365 for the purchase of additional supplies.

The donations will support schools across Midland Public Schools as well as Bullock Creek, Coleman, Meridian and Windover, extending the students’ work into the wider county.

Midland High School principal Tiela Schurman said the project was enabling young leaders to help other students discuss their health more comfortably. Superintendent Penny Miller-Nelson described the scheme as an example of what can be achieved when young people identify a genuine problem and work with community partners to address it.

The initiative also challenges the stigma that can surround menstruation by treating access to products as a practical educational and public health issue. Supporters can contribute menstrual products, with tampons particularly requested, at the Midland High School office.

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