by Erica Jansch, MAU Class of 2025
I began my internship with ACT in October 2024 as part of my Community-Based Learning Class at MAUHS. Community Based Learning (CBL) is a class that allows students to go out into the community and engage in work-based learning, volunteer work, or internships for school credit. I chose ACT as my community partner because I was interested in taking an active role in promoting their Take Care Project, which works to expand menstrual equity by providing menstrual products to under-resourced individuals in the community. I knew that I was looking for more of a professional environment for my CBL site and was interested in learning more about the business side of non-profit work.
One of my early goals for my internship was to help re-introduce free menstrual products into the women’s and gender-neutral bathrooms at MAUHS. From working with Dare and Alyssa, I learned just how significant the need for free menstrual products really is in our community. As a student, I also understood how lacking access to menstrual products can pose a significant barrier to learning, especially when someone has to miss an excessive amount of class time because they do not have the period products they need when they need them. Dare and Alyssa were both entirely supportive of my goal and had been working toward the same goal ever since menstrual products were initially removed from the high school’s bathrooms. With their guidance and expertise, I was able to create a comprehensive proposal encouraging MAUHS to re-introduce free menstrual products in student bathrooms.
The first step in the process of creating the proposal was gathering data. During the month of December, we ran a student survey to gather insight into student experiences while trying to access menstrual products at school. We found that an overwhelming majority of students were in support of free menstrual products, as well as that most students were unsatisfied with the quality of products previously offered (many described these products as bulky and uncomfortable). From there, we took to drafting the content of the proposal. In the proposal, we outlined the reasons why MAUHS should invest in providing free menstrual products (including the academic and emotional benefits), different dispensing options and prices, student survey data, and ways that we can foster an inclusive and supportive environment for all students through menstrual equity.
Also included in the proposal are three educational posters. The first discusses why these products are available free of cost to students and thus emphasize why it is important that we all work to respect this space. The second outlines how to safely use and/or dispose of the products provided. Lastly, there is an informational sign on where to find other healthcare products in the school (i.e., heating packs and period care packages in the nurse’s office). We convened with school administrators in early February and were met with widespread support and enthusiasm for the proposal. Now, we are awaiting the arrival of 14 new Aunt Flow dispensers to be installed in bathrooms throughout the building!
Overall, I have found my experience interning with ACT to be both empowering and enriching. Perhaps most importantly, I have a renewed admiration for the Bennington community and the ways in which we all work together to support one another. I have greatly appreciated the opportunity to work with and learn from Dare and Alyssa, who have inspired me to continue the work I’ve done with ACT at the state level with the Vermont Commission on Women. Their passion for promoting healthy youth in Bennington is truly inspiring. As an intern and student in the community, I can genuinely say that ACT’s work is absolutely necessary and well appreciated by local youth.