Chicago & Period Poverty with Ashley Novoa, Founder of the Chicago Period Project

Hey Friends,

It’s that time again! NEW EPISODE DROP! This one is sure to blow your mind.

Some quick back story:

A few months ago I was introduced to Ashley Novoa, Founder of the Chicago Period Project. When I say period, I mean period like menstruation. I bet you didn’t see that coming.

Well, since you and I both know my love for "taboo topics," I couldn’t resist learning more about her and the foundation.

But before I jump in, can I just say how silly it is that periods are something we only talk about in hush hush or after we’ve had a bottle (or two) of wine with friends. Or that every time I forget a tampon, I feel awkward asking another woman for one? It’s crazy since over 800 million people around the globe are menstruating daily. We literally bleed on average 7 years of our menstruating lifetime.

So when Ashley started explaining to me why she started the foundation and what her "aha moment" was I was all ears. I was absolutely floored to learn that about 20% of the population doesn’t have access to healthy period products monthly (Think sanitary napkins, pads, tampons, etc). It never occurred to me that while I could easily scoop these products up, someone else out there might be using socks, missing school, or work and bleeding through.

This is also a problem within the Chicago Public Schools. Many do not have the funding to provide these products to students so they have to go without. No one that menstruates should be put in the position to choose between food or tampons or whether they should go to school or stay at home because they risk staining their pants.

As Ashley looked closer to the problem, she chose to do something about it, and not just here in Chicago, but all over. What you ask?

Well, tune in to learn more and visit ChicagoPeriodProject.com to learn how you can get involved.

Follow the Chicago Period Project on instagram and whether it be monetary, product donations or volunteering, they have a ton of options to get involved!SITNS will continue to proudly donate products to this amazing mission.

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Hey! I’m Arsiak.

Hi I’m Arsiak Vartenian and I’m the Founder and Host of ‘Smart is the New Sexy’ an uplifting talk show and online platform that highlights the power of dreaming big through storytelling, connection, community, and heart.

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