Free.

Tim Walz’s nickname shines light on ‘period poverty’ in America A schoolyard taunt against the Democratic US vice presidential candidate puts focus on 'period poverty' in the world’s wealthiest nation

The One Back-to-School Item Teens Shouldn't Have to Buy Period poverty and the challenges affording menstrual hygiene products is a pervasive issue affecting people in the U.S. — and it can affect teens in school, as well.

The Back to School season is here in Massachusetts!

If your K-12 school is in need of products for students please reach out to us at [email protected].

We know 1 in 4 are struggling to afford period supplies and 80% miss learning time to hunt down products to care for a basic need.

We are here to help you make sure no child misses out on an education simply because they don’t have access to period supplies.



St. John the Evangelist (Hingham, MA)

Thank you Pink Chair Storytellers Magazine for highlighting our work!

Having period products available at school ensures a natural bodily function doesn’t make it harder to get an education. Toilet paper is always provided and the cost is never questioned, the same should go for period products.

The One Back-to-School Item Teens Shouldn't Have to Buy Period poverty and the challenges affording menstrual hygiene products is a pervasive issue affecting people in the U.S. — and it can affect teens in school, as well.

Investments from NDBN/APS and the Commonwealth of Massachusetts have allowed thousands of students in our schools to learn with dignity. Thank you!

National Diaper Bank Network Minute 24: Space the Final Frontier for Nonprofits

Thank you to The Lady Locker for supporting Head Start families! We were thrilled to send along supplies and books!

The only picture we managed to get together at the Algonquin Community BBQ- it was so awesome interacting with our little friends from Head Start as well as getting to meet a lot of new people!
We were able provide almost 75 bags of donated products as well as Justin-case bags for school backpacks along with the new Jessica Biel book! Thank you to eberyone who stopped by- we had a great time! Jenn Kiely Nancy Catherine
Thank you for the supplies and books Free.
Algonquin Heights Tenants Exchange

We have the legislative solution to create menstrual equity in Massachusetts with the I AM bill.

If inequitable access to education, barriers to employment and inhumane incarceration practices are unacceptable to you, please call your Representative and ask them to encourage our House leadership to bring the I AM bill to a vote by 7/31.

Massachusetts deserves menstrual equity.

We just stopped by America’s first public library in Franklin, MA with donations! We even made time to swing by and introduce the founder, Benjamin Franklin, and his buddy over the fireplace, (Franklin born) Horace Mann, to these wonderful books about periods and menstrual equity. Given Horace Mann started public education in the US we thought he might like to know that in 2024 students with periods are still missing out on their education because their bodies aren’t supported at school. We also had a conversation with him about why menstrual education is important. Hopefully Ben was listening too and helps get legislation passed in MA!! (Learn about the I AM bill here: mmecoalition.com/iam-bill)

Alliance For Period SuppliesSt. John the Evangelist (Hingham, MA)Franklin Public Library Official Site ScholasticPeriod. Inc. Mass NOW

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Our growth has been so quick that we hadn’t taken time to sit down and think about what our big picture looks like.

This week we asked ourselves, “how many cities and towns are in MA and how many have we reached?” When we crunched the numbers it was another moment that stopped us in our tracks. Investments from our Giving Community have allowed us to serve locations in 50% of MA cities and towns.

We do this work because the need is there. Period Poverty impacts neighbors in every zip code of the Commonwealth. We are waiting for legislation to pass to help ease the burden on our workload, but our volunteers are determined not to sit by and watch kids miss valuable learning time due to inequity at school. Every day a student is in the classroom because products are where they SHOULD BE is a day towards a degree and a better future. So we work.

We can’t do it all alone and are so thankful for the other organizations in MA who are working to reach the locations we can’t and to get the I AM bill passed. TOGETHER we will end Period Poverty in Massachusetts!!

St. John the Evangelist (Hingham, MA)Alliance For Period Supplies

It is an honor to have Free.’s work recognized, especially when included in this group of phenomenal women from across Massachusetts. Many on this year’s list were inspirational to our founding and to be considered worthy to be in their company is humbling.

Thank you to Patrick O'Connor for this nomination. Free. exists to lift up our neighbors near and far across the Commonwealth and your steadfast support has ensured thousands can engage in life with dignity. It is an honor to serve.

-Kenzie Blackwell, Founder and Director

In addition to schools, Free. was able to supply products to students through Boys & Girls Club locations across Massachusetts.

Making sure kids have access to period products outside of school ensures they can continue to learn and play with dignity.

After school activities are an essential part of childhood. For example, by age 17 research shows that 51% of menstruators have quit playing sports. This is a much higher percentage than non-menstruators. (Aunt Flow)

Not having access to essential period care creates a barrier for participation for far too many.

We aim to change that.

St. John the Evangelist (Hingham, MA) Unicorn in every stall

Thank you to Brooke Schultz and Education Week for this insightful look into the very real impact of limited period product access on students. We are especially proud of our Free. representatives, Cameron and Susan Vroman, for their interview and the work they are doing in their own community and across Massachusetts.

The I AM bill is STILL waiting to be brought to a vote in the MA House. Contact your local Representative to discuss why you want products available for students in your community. This legislative session ends July 31.

Product access matters.

https://www.edweek.org/leadership/more-schools-stock-tampons-and-pads-but-access-is-still-a-problem/2024/06

Alliance For Period SuppliesSt. John the Evangelist (Hingham, MA)

More Schools Stock Tampons and Pads, But Access Is Still a Problem Period products are becoming more commonplace in schools. But there are gaps in funding—and in access, a barrier for lower-income students.

Inventory stocking day! We received over 500,000 Moments of Dignity from Unicorn today and are ready to distribute.

We have a pickup day scheduled for June 25.
Contact [email protected] if your organization or school is in need of period supplies.

St. John the Evangelist (Hingham, MA)
Unicorn in every stall
Alliance For Period Supplies

Out and about donating copies of Free Period and A Kids Book About Periods!! The response for donations has been incredible and we wish we had 10,000 of each so every school and library in MA could have some on hand for circulation!!

Period supplies are school supplies and periods are completely normal. Both messages are powerful for kids to hear!

We are celebrating Menstrual Hygiene Day by thanking U by Kotex and Jessica Biel for the generous donation!! Together, we are creating a period friendly world for all!

U by Kotex
Jessica Biel
Alliance For Period Supplies

Days like today are our “why”.

Trucks are loaded and Unicorn products are being shipped to 300 schools across Massachusetts. That’s over 1.9 MILLION organic and environmentally friendly Moments of Dignity!!

This was made possible by earmark funding secured for Free. by Senator Patrick O’Connor and our local partnership with Unicorn. Given this week is Period Poverty Awareness Week in Hingham, across Massachusetts and the entire US AND the theme is “Period Supplies are School Supplies”, the timing could not be any better!!

Thank you Patrick O'Connor and Unicorn in every stall for supporting neighbors across the Commonwealth!

Alliance For Period SuppliesSt. John the Evangelist (Hingham, MA)

An abundance of thanks to the South Shore’s own Representative Joan Meschino for closing our panel discussion with a powerful and inspiring call to action!

We are incredibly lucky to have Representative Meschino as an advocate for policies that ensure equity, access and dignity for all…including the I AM bill! She encouraged everyone to keep writing letters to Reps!! This legislative session ends July 31.

St. John the Evangelist (Hingham, MA)Joan Meschino, State RepresentativeAlliance For Period SuppliesScholastic

Check out our Period Poverty Awareness Week Kickoff Event Slideshow!

Alliance For Period SuppliesSt. John the Evangelist (Hingham, MA)Mass NOWJoan Meschino, State RepresentativeScholastic

PPAW Slideshow Check out this Presentation designed by Kenzie Blackwell.

Thank you Governor Healey for proclaiming May 20-28 as Period Poverty Awareness Week in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts!!

We are honored to have this request granted and to be among the amazing organizations in MA who are providing their respective communities with menstrual dignity.

TOGETHER we will end Period Poverty in Massachusetts!
St. John the Evangelist (Hingham, MA)Alliance For Period Supplies

Join us on Sunday at 2pm to kickoff Period Poverty Awareness Week!! Before the program begins we will have time to meet Ali, get your books signed, network with like minded individuals AND enjoy lots of fun giveaways!! (Charcuterie and cupcakes too!)

St. John's and Free. are honored to host Ali Terese, author of Free Period, Student Ambassadors and MA Impact leaders. Each will be discussing why this work is important and their different approaches to bring support to communities.

Link to Register: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdSc2Ev_XHIPYKZcHDS_--3nVq8YuDZ8niBsfI-5Y8-dWqaXg/viewform?usp=share_link

Alliance For Period SuppliesScholasticHingham AnchorSt. John the Evangelist (Hingham, MA)Unicorn in every stallMass NOWHope & ComfortJoan Meschino, State Representative

Thanks to generous donations from YOU we continue to be able to make sure every neighbor we serve can engage in life with period dignity.

This is a team effort and thank you for all you do!!

Alliance For Period SuppliesSt. John the Evangelist (Hingham, MA)

We can’t wait to host Free Period’s, Ali Terese, fellow MA Alliance for Period Supplies members, Free. volunteers and Student Ambassadors, elected officials, impact leaders, the Massachusetts Menstrual Equity Coalition/Mass NOW and YOU!!

Let’s kick off Period Poverty Awareness Week in MA TOGETHER!!

It is free to attend, link to register: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdSc2Ev_XHIPYKZcHDS_--3nVq8YuDZ8niBsfI-5Y8-dWqaXg/viewform

St. John the Evangelist (Hingham, MA)Alliance For Period Supplies

Students with periods are not met with equity at school. Period.

Do we ask students to bring toilet paper to school?
Do we ask student athletes to bring toilet paper to practice?
Do we expect teachers to hand out toilet paper?
Do we demand to know how much schools spend on toilet paper?
Do we expect kids to ask the school nurse for toilet paper?
Do we expect kids to know where to find the secret stash of toilet paper in the school building?
Would you be OK with kids missing days of learning due to the lack of toilet paper?

Periods are a natural function of bodies and must be supported IN the restroom where products are needed. Just like toilet paper.

The I AM bill is the solution here in MA, yet it is not moving to a vote in the House.

Write your Representatives and ask them to talk to Ways and Means members. We need EQUITY in education NOW!! Time is of the essence, the legislative session ends July 31.

Books that truly capture the heart of a movement are hard to come by. Free Period has done just that! Ali Terese’s engaging story mirrors the real life experiences of so many students across America who are working to make period products available in their schools.

We have planned a panel discussion with during our kickoff event to highlight efforts in Massachusetts.

Student leaders are working to supply their own school restrooms AND get the I AM bill passed so peers will always be able to learn with dignity!

MA Alliance for Period Supplies members, independent organizations and school nurses are sending out millions of products each year, yet kids still struggle to access needed products in schools.

Elected officials are also working to pass the I AM bill so MA can ensure every child can focus on their education while menstruating.

We hope you can join us to learn more about the menstrual equity movement in MA! (Link to register in bio!)



St. John the Evangelist (Hingham, MA)Alliance For Period SuppliesScholastic

Our kickoff for PERIOD POVERTY AWARENESS WEEK is shaping up to be packed full of fun!

2:00-3:00 Meet and mingle with Ali Terese and fellow menstrual equity champions
3:00-3:30 Join us to listen to an interview with Ali and discussions with Student Advocates and Impact Leaders from across MA
3:30-4:00 Giveaways and more time to mingle!

We will have books and swag for purchase, prizes for lucky guests AND all the cupcakes and charcuterie you could ever want!!

Don’t forget to register!! (Scan the QR or find the link in our bio…it’s free to attend!)



St. John the Evangelist (Hingham, MA)Alliance For Period SuppliesScholastic

Today we celebrate our Student Volunteers!!

We are so proud of the heart these kids bring to the menstrual equity movement!! Student leaders from Lawrence to Duxbury have contacted us to ask how they could be part of the solution.

They have done their own research and created access programs in their schools. They have advocated for the I AM bill by visiting the State House and writing their elected officials. They are working tirelessly to care for their peers while we wait for legislation to pass!!

These kids understand how product access is uniquely linked to education because they are living it. They see fellow students struggling and they are saying “no more”!

Well done to everyone and keep up the good work!!



St. John the Evangelist (Hingham, MA)Alliance For Period Supplies

Free. is three!!

Our April newsletter is our 3rd anniversary celebration of YOUR service and a call to action to get the I AM bill passed!

St. John the Evangelist (Hingham, MA)Alliance For Period Supplies

Instagram April 2024 Newsletter.pdf