Local organizations Alliance for Community Transformations (ACT) and The Collaborative, and businesses Pangaea, Prospect Coffee House, and Powers Market have been certified as Period Positive Workplaces.
Led by a coalition of NGOs and menstrual health experts, the Period Positive Workplace initiative recognizes businesses who take tangible steps to foster inclusivity, support a safe working environment, and promote menstrual equity in the workplace.
Research shows that workplaces that provide period products report reduced absenteeism, increased productivity, and higher collaboration from employees who menstruate, while companies that provide menstrual leave see an increase in attraction, retention, and productivity.
“All of our businesses have gender-neutral bathrooms and these will be stocked with free menstrual products for any staff or customer who needs them,” says Lani DePonte-Disorda, co-owner of Pangaea, Prospect Coffee House, and Powers Market in North Bennington. “I am a huge proponent of destigmatizing and normalizing menstruation, advocating for reproductive rights, and reducing barriers to education. And so much of this education happens from person to person.”
Period Positive Workplaces provide period products in or near bathrooms, have bathrooms that meet WHO’s Global Water, Sanitation, & Hygiene (WASH) standards, and formally notify employees that period products are and will continue to be provided.
“We are proud to be recognized as a Period Positive Workplace,” says Maryann Morris, executive director of The Collaborative. “This certification underscores our commitment to fostering an environment of understanding, safety, and support for our team. Promoting supportive policies and accessible resources cultivates a workplace where individuals feel valued, respected, and empowered.”
“Period positivity not only normalizes conversations around menstrual health but also contributes to more empathetic and inclusive spaces—in the workplace and beyond,” says Dare Chammings, director of ACT. “By openly addressing and supporting the needs of people who menstruate, we are working to foster a culture that prioritizes well-being and values the diverse experiences of our employees and the people we serve.”
The effort to engage Bennington County businesses and organizations in the Period Positive Workplace initiative is being led by the Take Care Project advisory committee, with members who represent local schools, people with lived experience of period poverty, youth, and individuals who bring experience in public health, and advocacy.
Created by ACT to address period poverty—lack of access to menstrual care products and menstrual health education—the Take Care Project provides pads and tampons, as well as soap, shampoo, deodorant, and other personal care items for free distribution to youth and families through a network of community partners, including local schools, food shelves, and libraries. In 2023, the Take Care Project distributed over 62,000 menstrual and hygiene products in the Bennington community.
For more information, resources, and to get involved, visit actbennington.org/take-care.