Tracker Pixel for Entry

​NDSU students fighting the stigma. Period.

Culture | November 26th, 2019

By Jill Finkelson
jsfinkelson99@gmail.com

There are many things people miss when they are homeless or living in poverty but one thing not often talked about is menstruation and how it is handled. Stories of people young and old having to resort to desperate measures when unable to afford tampons, pads or pain relief are heartbreaking and uncomfortable.

Most of us don’t think twice about picking up these things while running errands, but they can be cost-prohibitive for many. Some young women in our community are stepping up and asking for donations for struggling menstruators in the form of supplies or cash. The Period. movement is nationwide and focuses not just on getting supplies out but cutting through the stigma and discomfort of talking about a normal healthy process. It can be uncomfortable to talk about this but until it comes out into the open, the issue can’t be faced. Fortunately, Alison Schwark talked to us about opening a chapter of this organization at NDSU. She has teamed up with local businesses and organizations to bring this cause and conversation into our community.

High Plains Reader: What motivated you to start a chapter here at NDSU and what can you say about the process?

Alison Schwark: Reproductive rights are an issue I am very passionate about, so when I heard about PERIOD I wanted to get involved immediately. I thought that bringing it to NDSU would be so unlike anything else on campus. That being said, we have really had to build this from the ground up. We have had a lot of support and help from other organizations at NDSU, but we have just been figuring everything out on our own. A lot of people seem really interested in it because they haven’t heard of anything like it and a lot of people really don’t think about menstrual health and hygiene being an issue. I think this could continue to be very successful at NDSU and could help a lot of menstruators!

HPR: Can you tell me about the local organizations and people involved? And how can people get involved and/or donate to the cause?

AS: LadyBoss FM reached out to us and set up our first product bin for donations at the Prairie Den in downtown Fargo and they have posted about us on their social media which has helped catch a lot of attention from people. Catalyst and Flint Group also reached out to us and set up a product bin. Social media has been our main source of communication with the community so it is huge that these businesses have posted about us. The easiest way to get involved is to check out our Instagram (period.ndsu) or FaceBook page and simply educate yourself on the importance of this issue. A lot of people don’t understand that it isn’t only having access to pads and tampons, but having access to clean bathrooms and openly being able to have a conversation with someone else about it.

Businesses can house product bins, you can donate at any of our bin locations (Prairie Den, Catalyst, Flint Group, NDSU), or you can make a monetary donation which will go toward purchasing products and distributed throughout the FM area by Churches United.

HPR: I think this is a fantastic cause and am happy to see the community support for this cause. This is a delicate issue that often gets overlooked. What do you think are your biggest challenges?

AS: The taboo that surrounds menstruation is a huge barrier. People don’t like to talk about it and that’s why this issue isn’t often addressed and menstruators feel embarrassed by a very natural process. That being said, if we can’t talk about it openly then it becomes an even bigger issue. Breaking down the stigma around periods and making people feel comfortable to talk about it has been a huge challenge.

HPR: Can you say a little bit about how this is an issue for women in our community and everywhere? What are the goals of the campaign to make a change?

AS: We have a monetary goal of $200, but we don’t have a specific goal for products. Honestly, our first day of the drive we had two students at NDSU bring a box of tampons each and even that felt like a feat. Knowing what it is like to have to decide between spending a paycheck on food or tampons, it is so nice knowing that someone won’t have to worry about it even if it is for one cycle. Overall, we just want to give back to our community and support menstruators.

Recently in:

By Alicia Underlee Nelsonalicia@hpr1.comArea children ages 10 and over are invited to join the Fargo-Moorhead Science Museum to explore how rivers work at two Fargo Public Library locations this summer. Stream Table Workshops will…

Back-to-school season is on the horizon, but there's still plenty of summer left. Check out our favorite August attractions and events in North Dakota and western Minnesota. And if if you missed them, here are a few excellent May…

Friday, July 25, doors at 8:30 p.m.Aquarium above Dempsey’s, 226 N. Broadway, Fargo"This is what you need to know about Daikaiju,” said Kelly Weidman. “They're loud. They're all instrumental (duh). And they're the band to see…

By Sabrina Hornungsabrina@hpr1.com On July fourth, Nathan's Famous International Hot Dog Eating Contest took place at Coney Island. The winners, Joey Chestnut and Miki Sudo, reigned victorious. Chestnut earned his 17th title by…

By Ed Raymond fargogadfly@gmail.comThere might be room for Trump on Mount Rushmore after allDuring King Donald’s first term he told Kristi Noem, then a congresswoman and now his secretary of homeland security, his dream was to be…

By Rick Gionrickgion@gmail.com Holiday wine shopping shouldn’t have to be complicated. But unfortunately it can cause unneeded anxiety due to an overabundance of choices. Don’t fret my friends, we once again have you covered…

By Rick Gion and Simone Wairickgion@gmail.com The Red River Market returned to downtown Fargo on Saturday, July 12. The event will take place every Saturday except July 19. (That date will be moved to Sunday, July 20, due to the…

By Alicia Underlee Nelsonalicia@hpr1.comThe Moorhead Public Library will offer three free, all-ages outdoor concerts featuring regional bands this summer. The series begins on June 12 with the Meat Rabbits, a group that blends…

By Greg Carlsongregcarlson1@gmail.comAri Aster’s political satire “Eddington” premiered in competition for the Palme d’Or at Cannes in May, where Jafar Panahi’s “It Was Just an Accident” received the prize. A…

Press ReleaseTouchmark at Harwood Groves will host a special artist reception featuring renowned glass artist Jon Offutt on Tuesday, July 29, at 2:00 p.m. in the community’s auditorium. The event celebrates Offutt’s temporary…

By John Showalterjohn.d.showalter@gmail.comPhoto by Yvonne Denault There is something intimate and personal about plays. Even in our age of multimillion dollar Hollywood productions and droves of streaming services, watching actors…

By Annie Prafckeannieprafcke@gmail.com AUSTIN, Texas – As a Chinese-American, connecting to my culture through food is essential, and no dish brings me back to my mother’s kitchen quite like hotdish. Yes, you heard me right –…

By Sabrina Hornungsabrina@hpr1.comNew Jamestown Brewery Serves up Local FlavorThere’s something delicious brewing out here on the prairie and it just so happens to be the newest brewery west of the Red River and east of the…

The drug that keeps re-purposing itselfBy Ellie Liveranieli.liverani.ra@gmail.com There is a drug that is getting a lot of attention nowadays all over the world. It has various commercial names (Ozempic, Wegovy and Rybelsus), but…

By Alicia Underlee NelsonProtests against President Trump’s policies and the cuts made by Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) are planned across North Dakota and western Minnesota Friday, April 4 and…

By Vern Thompsonvern.thompson@rocketmail.com Working in the Bakken oil fields of the Williston Basin is so different from my home in Fargo. I'm not judging, because the people working and living in western North Dakota are very…