1 in 3 low-income women report missing work or school due to lack of access to period products

Written By Alicia Vial

Junior League of New Orleans takes action to close the gap during Period Poverty Awareness Week

NEW ORLEANS – In recognition of Period Poverty Awareness Week May 20-28, Junior League of New Orleans (JLNO) is hosting a product drive Wednesday, May 22 from 10 a.m. until 5:30 p.m. Period poverty – a phrase used to describe the struggle low-income people who menstruate face when unable to afford menstrual products – affects one in three low-income people who report missing work, school or similar events due to lack of access to period supplies.   

According to a study by U by Kotex®, 68% of people agree that period poverty is a public health issue yet only 4% of Americans are aware of a local resource where free or reduced cost period supplies are available. The study also showed that period poverty disproportionately impacts Black (23%) and Latina people (24%).   

JLNO is asking the public’s support by donating new, unopened boxes of tampons or pads. Opened boxes will be accepted but supplies should still be in their original wrapping. Items can be dropped off to JLNO headquarters at 4319 Carondelet St. in New Orleans.    

As an official Allied Program of the Alliance for Period Supplies, JLNO works year-round to distribute period supplies to those who are experiencing period poverty and takes an active role in civic engagement that can help end period poverty in Louisiana.   

“Just like caregivers can’t go to work or attend school if babies can’t be in diapers at daycare, people who menstruate can’t go to school or work if they don’t have the supplies they need on a monthly basis,” says Ashley Cangelosi Llewellyn, JLNO president. “With state and federal safety-net programs excluding the purchase of period supplies, JLNO is stepping in to close the gap.”  

Last year JLNO distributed more than 200,000 period products through a variety of community partnerships and to local schools.  

“One in four teens in the U.S. have missed class due to lack of access to period supplies. And with Louisiana ranked 49th for women living in poverty, we need to raise awareness about period poverty and educate the community on the barriers facing people unable to afford supplies,” says Kendra Reade, JLNO period products chair. “Period supplies should be in public bathrooms with other necessary products like toilet paper and soap. It’s imperative that we support ​​legislation to make period products available for free in schools.”   

To help combat period poverty in our community, supporters are encouraged to join the movement and become an advocate to help #endperiodpoverty ​​by asking your legislators to make period products accessible to all. Need period supplies?  Visit Rosa F. Keller Public Library and Community Center or Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Library.  To learn more about hosting a product drive or donating to the JLNO Diaper Bank, visit jlno.org/periodsupplies.    

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About Junior League New Orleans   

Junior League of New Orleans is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization committed to advancing women’s leadership for meaningful community impact through volunteer action, collaboration, and training. More information on the organization can be found at www.jlno.org  

About Alliance for Period Supplies  

The Alliance for Period Supplies is an initiative of the National Diaper Bank Network (NDBN)—a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that leads a nationwide movement aimed at helping individuals and families who struggle to afford material basic needs. Launched in May 2018, with the support of founding sponsor U by Kotex, the Alliance for Period Supplies raises national awareness of period poverty (#periodpoverty) and supports the development and expansion of period supply programs in communities throughout the country. The organization is comprised of Allied Programs that collect, warehouse and distribute menstrual/period supplies in local communities. More information on Alliance for Period Supplies is available at allianceforperiodsupplies.org, and on Twitter and Facebook.  

Alicia Vial

Alicia Vial is a New Orleans native with more than a decade of experience elevating client stories and leading crisis response. As the senior director of strategy, Alicia acts as a leader within the Gambel Communications team ensuring each agency team member is positioned to deliver strategic public relations services that meet the highest standards of the industry. In addition to supporting the agency’s long-term business growth and development, she coordinates day-to-day account services and oversees strategic direction while staying abreast of best practices and industry trends to provide innovative solutions to meet client’s needs.

Before joining Gambel Communications, Alicia served as the communications director for the Louisiana SPCA, the oldest and largest animal welfare organization in Louisiana that impacts more than 74,000 animals per year. During her nearly eight-year tenure, Alicia oversaw numerous crises, served on national communication taskforces, oversaw all aspects of internal and external relations and worked alongside the development department to raise critical funding. Prior to that, she worked in the fast-paced New Orleans hospitality industry focusing on digital public relations for multiple hotels.

Alicia is a member of the Public Relations Association of Louisiana (PRAL), Southern Public Relations Federation (SPRF), a board member of the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA) New Orleans Chapter and a member of the New Orleans Regional Leadership Institute. An accredited public relations practitioner (APR), Alicia is also certified in crisis communications, organizational leadership, content marketing and social media.

A well respected and trusted public relations practitioner, Alicia has been recognized by SPRF as a ‘Senior Practitioner of the Year’. Dubbed early on in her career as one to watch, she also received the ‘Rising Star’ award by PRAL and was profiled in St. Charles Avenue Magazine as part of their Young Bloods series. Most recently, she was recognized at PRSA’s annual Fleurish Awards and received four Awards of Excellence for her work along with the ‘Plate Spinner’ award for her efforts on the board of directors for the chapter.

An LSU graduate, Alicia received a bachelor's degree in mass communications with a concentration in public relations and minors in business administration and leadership development. She is a frequent speaker and presenter on public relations topics, most recently presenting at the Jefferson Economic Development Commission and SPRF annual conference.

When Alicia is not at work, you can find her at the ballpark with her three boys or cheering on the Tigers in Death Valley.

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