Alabama House OKs legislation combatting ‘period poverty’
Updated Apr 30, 2021;
Posted Apr 29, 2021
State Rep. Rolanda Hollis, D-Birmingham, speaks in support of legislation that would require local schools to provide menstrual products to girls in grades 5-12 at no cost. The legislation, which Hollis is sponsoring, was approved by the Alabama House on Thursday, April 29, 2021. (John Sharp/jsharp@al.com).
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Breanna and Brooke Bennett of Montgomery asked for their 12th birthday in 2019 to create “Women in Training” kits filled with health and hygiene products that included sanitary pads, body wash and self-care items.
The effort by the twins generated headlines and raised awareness to the issue of “period poverty,” which affects 1 in 5 American girls and millions of women worldwide who cannot afford hygiene products. It also sparked inspiration for one Alabama lawmaker who, on Thursday, oversaw the House approval of legislation requiring schools to provide menstrual hygiene products at no cost to students in grades 5-12.