Minji(16), South Korea

“Shoe insoles are my only option for managing my period”

When Minji got to her first period, she felt lost and unprepared. Without money for period pads, she resorted to using shoe insoles and tissues. Asking her dad for help felt impossible; she didn’t want to burden him. Each month reminded her of isolation, and she just wished for the comfort of being able to handle this basic need.

Abigail(15), Ethiopia

“It feels easier to just skip school”

Abigail decided to stay home again because of her period. This year was meant to be her second chance to graduate, but she has already missed several classes. The thought of graduation deferral hangs over her, and she worries about falling behind. Each absence makes her anxious, and she can’t shake the feeling that her dreams are slipping away.

Maya(13), Myanmar, arrived in the US in 2024

“Pads are not a priority to purchase”

For people with low incomes, rather than buying pads, affording their living expenses or food is their priority. For refugees or immigrant job seekers like Maya family, pads are the last thing to buy because, with their family’s salary, they can barely afford enough food for a day. Also, back in Maya’s country, access to menstrual products was often limited, and she was unsure why pads were necessary instead of using other fabrics. Arriving in the U.S., she was surprised to learn how important pads are for health and hygiene.