Kate Farrar

Representative Kate Farrar (D-West Hartford, Newington) was proud to visit The Feminist Coalition (FemCo.), a club at Conard High School in advance of Period Action Day on Saturday, October 14. This day serves as a reminder of the importance of access to menstrual products, and to break down stigmas about menstruation.

FemCo. collaborated with Representative Farrar to introduce and pass legislation to address period poverty in Connecticut. Thanks to their joint efforts, in 2022, Representative Farrar successfully passed legislation and secured $2 million in funding for menstrual products in our state's public school restrooms, at our college campuses, and in shelters.

"I would like to thank FemCo. and students across our state for their continued activism. While I am proud of the progress we made to advance menstrual equity in Connecticut, we must remain committed to this cause," said Representative Farrar. "Menstrual equity is a matter of basic human dignity. Together, we can create a society where access to menstrual products is a right, not a privilege."

“As an educator, it is crucial to create a safe and inclusive environment for all students. Supplying free period products in the bathroom removes a significant barrier to education for menstruating students,” said Heather Beattie-DeWitt, a teacher at Conard High School and co-advisor of the FemCo. Club. “By ensuring students have access to these essential items, we enable them to fully focus on their studies without worrying about their menstrual hygiene.”

“Providing free menstrual products to students is not just a matter of convenience; it is a matter of equity and dignity. Menstruation should never be a barrier to education. By ensuring that students have access to these essential products, we are sending a powerful message that their needs are valid and that their education matters,” said Beth Reilly, a teacher at Conard High School and co-advisor of the FemCo. Club.

“Baskets filled with menstrual products were introduced at Conard in 2021. The availability of these products in the bathrooms has been incredibly helpful for me because I often forget to bring them from home,” said Susana Orrego Ortiz, a student at Conard High School. “Not only do these free period products benefit individuals, but it also has a positive impact on attendance rates in the classroom.”

The recently released 2023 State of the Period Study found that almost a quarter (23%) of teens still struggle to afford period products, unchanged from 2021. However, students report a 7% increase in accessing period products at school and a decrease in period stigma. Similar to last year, FemCo. plans to host a fundraiser at Conard High School on Election Day November 7th to continue to support their purchase of menstrual products for student bathrooms.