What is the biggest contribution that you have made to your community? by Zee

What is the biggest contribution that you have made to your community? by Zee - January 2024 Scholarship Essay

Most of the time people do not have to worry about the cost of toilet paper, unless you were in the COVID 19 pandemic. Period products, too, are essential, just like toilet paper.  So, if toilet paper can be affordable, why shouldn’t it be the same for period products? About 500 million people globally lack access to menstrual products and hygiene facilities. According to a recent study, 1 in 5 teens missed school because they could not afford period products. Currently, 25 states have passed legislation to help students who menstruate to have free access to these products but what about the other 25 states and under-developed nations?
As a Teen Health Ambassador (THA), I have done various things to raise awareness around this issue. To address period poverty within my community, I ran a period product drive that supplied period products distributed in five schools in Lynn Public Schools District over two years. In total, we raised over $1,000 in period products.
In my role as a THA, I teach comprehensive sex ed to my peers. I have taught 16 groups of middle schoolers throughout my four years as a THA. In teaching, I noticed a lack of education surrounding it. It is amazing to see the transition in teaching middle schoolers about periods. At first, they throw in comments like “ew” but after a while they start wanting to know more and how they can help. Apart from teaching youth, among my friends I am always the first person they come to ask for help when it comes to periods. One of my friends even now knows how to wear a tampon the right way. Being able to help, assist, educate and inspire others with the work I do keeps me going.