As I sat at my desk the week before school started, I noticed that someone had left an empty plastic filing cabinet in a pile of stuff that was labeled "Please Take Me!" While I'm still a mobile teacher, I don't have much use for any actual furniture, and so I got the idea that I could repurpose that cabinet to something a little bit more practical.

During the 20-21 school year, a former student and I tried to collaborate with a nonprofit to get free menstrual products installed in our building. Students would have free access to it while the district would pay for the machines. I was so excited by this prospect because that would be tremendous help for my students who struggle with access to quality menstrual products. Unfortunately that fell through but I still felt motivated as many students wrote their first semester final project on period equity.

For the first ten weeks of the 21-22 school year, my mom and I bought pads and tampons of various sizes so that students could take what they need whenever they needed it. The cart was simply in the corner of the girls' bathroom on the 4th floor and I would refill it by the end of the week. I was fine with supplying this drawer by myself--I didn't consider it to be a financial burden at all--but I was pleasantly surprised when I saw my coworker tag me in a Facebook post giving me praise for my efforts. AND IT BLEW UP! In the best way possible! Within 4 days, we received over $800 in monetary donations and most items on my Amazon Wishlist were purchased and sent directly to the school! By week 2, each girls' bathroom floor had a cart that was supplied with menstrual products.

When students asked me why I wanted to start this project, the answer was simple: If it makes getting through your school day easier, that's all I want. I want you to be able to focus on your studies and not have to worry about not having access to these products. I want you to know that you'll always be taken care of at Cass Tech.

If you're interested in donating to the project, feel free to send me an email @ kelsey.wiley@detroitk12.org, or check out my Amazon Wishlist https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/1T9XHWYZP3Z9V?ref_=wl_share

Detroit Dialogue Interview

Any opportunity to talk with students about my advocacy work, I'm always happy to! http://www.detroitdialogue.com/article/2021/11/cass-tech-free-feminine-products-for-students

Further Reading: "Equity, Period" from Learning for Justice

Back in 2019, I had a copy of this issue in my mailbox and I'm so glad I kept it! Looking back on it now, perhaps this is where the seed was planted and my students' writing just helped push me to take action. Highly recommend this brief read for any folks interested in starting this work!

https://www.learningforjustice.org/magazine/spring-2019/equity-period