Research Logs

Research Log #1 - Solutionary Project 2021
Date: 11 February 2021

Name: Brooke Mizuno
Central Question: Should the United States untax or lower the price of feminine products?
Thesis: Although it would alter economy involving feminine products and companies, the United States should
untax or lower the price of feminine products.
Essay Sections:
#1 What is the problem? What are the systemic causes? Who is hurt and who benefits? (Use three sources.)
#2: What has been and is being done? (Use two sources.)
#3: What do you think should be done and what do you intend to do? (Use one source.)
In which section will you use this source? #1 What is the problem? What are the systemic causes? Who is hurt and
who benefits?
Excerpts:
In the article, it addresses in American society, “The hardships homeless people go through is unimaginable, and
whether they menstruate or not, being homeless is another taboo topic many of us never talk about.” The article
continues to say that “Menstrual products are NOT a luxury, they are a NECESSITY, and everyone should be able to
have access to them.”
The article addresses the health risks of not having the proper and clean feminine products: “There’s so many different
ways homeless women and trans men deal with their periods. From socks, plastic bags, and napkins, to rags, shirts and
cotton balls, these homeless menstruators are at risk of toxic shock syndrome and other health related issue.”
The article reports how the cost of feminine products are not suitable for woman experiencing homelessness: “The
average box of tampons (which comes with 36 tampons) costs around $7.62 at Walgreens, and that’s not including
taxes. Depending on the level of discomfort of your physical symptoms, your flow, and income, things can add up.”
Commentary and Analysis:
Women in this society grow up to feel shameful and secretive towards their menstrual cycle, although they
cannot control it. It is perceived as inherently negative. There is a lack of inclusivity in this conversation. It is hard to
obtain support systems and education about such a “taboo” subject. This stigma follows through for women living in
poverty too. Discussing homelessness is another taboo within itself, along with many adverse stereotypes about them.
It has made people avoid conversing about this topic and find solutions for it. Having two social stigmas combine
makes it even more taxing for people to recognize it and help. Females experiencing homelessness feel a loss of
dignity when pleading for money they need to survive and maintain hygiene. Periods are a natural process every
woman must go through for most of their life, yet societal beliefs make them blame themselves for something out of
their control. It forms this idea that acquiring feminine projects is a luxury and a privilege only economically stable
females can have. It demonstrates the concept of women living in a man’s society. It signifies how corrupted the
American system and society are against females. There must be a collapse of this impression in order to have a bigger
impact in solving this.
This website provides all the cheaper alternatives for feminine products that homeless females and trans males
use because it is too expensive. They do not want to spend excessive amounts of money they have so little of. Due to
their economic status, they are incapable of buying products deemed essential as a woman. In the short term, they have
found an inexpensive substitute that works for them at that moment. But in the long run, this could cause serious health
problems that they cannot afford to cure. They are lucky if they are clean while living on the streets. But it should not
be based on luck, especially when it interferes with their health. Even at homeless shelters, they lack enough menstrual
products to give them. It proves how little the average person has contributed to solving this issue and how unaware
people are about how serious and dangerous this can be.
There is significant evidence that the average homeless woman cannot afford these feminine products. A 36-
tampon pack costing on average $7.62 without tax is how much they can make in a day. The cost can increase
depending on the conditions and symptoms during their menstrual cycle. Because they understand how costly it is,
they prefer to prioritize their money into things like food and water. The National Organization for Women found out
that the average female spends around $20 per cycle on feminine products, costing about $18,000 throughout her life.
These women living in poverty have to make sacrifices for them to get by. They cannot even risk spending $7.62 while
most girls spend $20 on it. Many of them create makeshift pads and tampons that lead to infections. It proves how
overpriced an essential product for women is and demonstrates the idea again that it is a luxury to buy these items
rather than something crucial for being a female. If there were more availability of feminine hygiene products for
homeless women, this issue would not be as pressing as it currently is. No matter someone's economic status, they
should not feel the need to sacrifice not purchasing an essential item to survive their current situation.
MLA Work Cited:
“Period Power: Homelessness and Periods In The US.” Lunette, 2018, store.lunette.com/blogs/news/periods-and-
homelessness-in-the-us. Accessed 4 February 2020.
This is a reputable and reliable article because it was published in the Lunette, a feminine product company, so they
understand the validity of Homeless Woman managing through their menstrual cycle and are well-educated on the
matter.
Name: Brooke Mizuno
Essay Sections:
In which section will you use this source? #1 What is the problem? What are the systemic causes? Who is hurt and
who benefits?
Excerpts:
In the article, it addresses how “Close to 12 million women across the U.S. aged between 12 to 52 live below poverty
line, and most of them don't have access to sanitary pads. Currently, neither tampons or pads are available through
government assistance programs like SNAP or Medicaid.”
This article reports that even with those products being tax free, it is still not enough for many: “Only nine states in the
entire country have definite policies in place that make sure feminine hygiene products are pink tax free. Even within
those states, for those experiencing poverty, a decent sanitary product is unaffordable.”
The article speaks on period poverty being a taboo topic: “A recent study revealed that there are about 5,000 slang
words used to refer to menstruation in 10 different languages, which is indicative of the larger taboo that prevents
people from talking about it, by extension helping corporations in making profits.”
The fact that 12 million females are older than 12 years old and younger than 52 is a problem within itself. But
another issue is that two-thirds of low-income females cannot purchase feminine products due to the price. This
statistic is an immense public health concern, but it’s not perceived that way. It is not common knowledge to everyone
in American society. It creates an increasingly harmful subject where the limited access to feminine products can cause
these homeless females to use unsuitable alternatives. That sequentially can cause possible infertility or cervical cancer
through infections. Government programs whose goals are to help low-income individuals, do not have accessible
feminine products for the women a part of that demographic. Medicaid should cover the cost of them or make them
available because those are medical necessities for women. The current government does not play an efficient role in
solving this. Although Covid-19 has taken over and needs the utmost priority, period poverty will outlive the
pandemic. If the government does not step in to fix this multifaceted matter, millions of women will continue to
sacrifice their hygiene to survive. It will be left unresolved.
Although that 18% of the 50 states are moving towards the right idea, it is nevertheless inadequate. Feminine
products continue to be expensive for millions of women, especially those in poverty. The reason only 17 states have
made it tax-free is that they see it as an economic gain. They want to take a portion of the profit margins from these
female essential goods. Due to the little competition within the companies along with the varied supply, it allows this
industry to obtain substantial profit margins. These profits may be assisting the government, but it subsequently
worsens human welfare politically and socially. A homeless woman’s quality of life is highly debatable, especially
during Covid-19. These struggling females should be able to afford the products they need to maintain their health and
hygiene. If the government requires money, they could have a tax on an alternative product with similar profit margins.
It would reduce the inaccessibility of feminine products for half the United States’ population.
It demonstrates a valid point that words such as “period” or “menstruation” have disdain in the United States
and other countries. This study has 90,000 responses from 190 different countries. It continues to prove how people
have normalized being disgusted and uncomfortable by a natural, uncontrollable female process. It has become a
universal culture to associate periods with feelings of awkwardness, discomfort, uneasiness, self-consciousness, and
more similar emotions. It makes period poverty become an issue around gender oppression. By bringing more
awareness to this subject, it will, in turn, lessen the stigma and reform the judgments of many people in this society.
The more of these traditional ideas not regarded as normal, the matter of menstruation will be viewed in a better light.
MLA Work Cited:
Sharma, Jeena. The State of Period Poverty in the United States. 12 Mar. 2020, www.papermag.com/period-poverty-
tampon-tax-united-states-2631311601.html?rebelltitem=4#rebelltitem4. Accessed 14 February 2021.
This is a reputable and reliable article because the writer of the article gets her statistics and information from
various organizations whose goals are to end period poverty.
Name: Brooke Mizuno
Essay Sections:
In which section will you use this source? #3: What do you think should be done and what do you intend to do?
Excerpts:
Bimini Love, the speaker brings up how she raised money for her organization, Street Cramps: “I walked into Tesco’s
and I asked to do a fundraiser…They said yes and shortly after I was standing in front of the store with bin bags full of
tampons and other donations that I have received.”
She discusses her experience giving homeless women boxes with feminine products: “I began working with an
organization called Koz Gone Home. They provide support and accommodation and they also operate an alcohol and
substance tolerant policy.” Love continues, “I went down to deliver some boxes to the women living in the
accommodation. I gave them each a box and I watched nervously as they unwrapped it. They said it was an amazing
thing that could change so many lives.”
Love ends her talk with saying, “I want to pass the Street Cramps name over to people who think they can take Street
Cramps to where they live. One person can make a huge difference so if you feel like you can take Street Cramps to
where they live or pass it on to someone you know would love to get involved then feel free to get in touch.”
By working with her local grocery and retail store, she obtained funds for her blooming non-profit
organization. She did not need many recruits or the amusing setup to appeal to people. All she had was two other
women and a baby with her and materials such as a tall poster, a table, and a tall crate. It was enough to receive
donations from the consumers at Tesco’s. Reaching out to other organizations or retail stores in the beginning stages of
a non-profit is very helpful. My partner and I are doing a similar thing to what Bimini is doing. We are making
donation boxes to put in businesses and potentially at our school with the help of Ma'i Movement, an organization
attempting to end period poverty. We are going to decorate the boxes and create graphics to attract customers and
students. It allows exposure to people a part of different communities and covers more ground of demographics. Even
though not everyone will donate, more people will know about the organization and will be aware of the problem we
are attempting to solve. It allows a discussion of new conversation topics in a community.
Working with other organizations with the same mission to help deliver donations will be the most productive
and the safest option. There is always a risk when a person gives homeless people products on their own. They do not
know if whomever they are handing out to is mentally stable. That risk has now increased due to the global pandemic,
COVID-19. Reaching out to organizations can be very helpful with a time like now. My partner and I contacted
multiple period poverty organizations in Hawaii such as Ma'i Movement, I Support the Girls, and others for advice and
to have collaborations with. The Ma'i Movement has helped immensely by working with us to plan a donation drive
and find shops we can put donation boxes in. With all the contributions we receive, half of it will go to them and the
other half will go to other organizations or homeless shelters. Instead of going out on the streets to pass out feminine
products, people can give their donations to us or an organization where they give it directly to the females in poverty.
It limits contact while still contributing to the cause. Doing work like this can be very memorable and life-changing not
just to the people the person is helping but themselves. It can inspire more people to give back to their community and
help women experiencing poverty.
She publicly talks to people about menstruation and period poverty which causes the conversation to
desensitize the stigma. She created an efficient way for Street Cramps to span across many places in the United
Kingdom. She tries to motivate people to bring her organization to their communities. For them to do so, all they need
to do is contact Street Cramps. She makes the process sound manageable to incline the average person to step up since
it does not seem overwhelming. She also advertises this idea through social media and other platforms where many
people can see it. This approach has proven to be effective due to them already having 7 locations all around England.
I think people, including myself, should converse more about periods and the systemic stigma towards menstruation.
We should also take more action with what we say. Once people are more open to discussing it, they will feel more
inclined to post about it on social media and create hashtags. Solutions do not need to be overcomplicated or
immensely specific. The main goal is to raise awareness and bring light to the subject. Creating simplistic and straight-
to-the-point solutions will encourage others to help.
MLA Work Cited:
“Street Cramps: a 15 year old tackles period poverty | Bimini Love | TEDxTruro.” Youtube, uploaded by TEDx Talks,
13 December 2017, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pmtp9Ke-m34.
This is a reputable and reliable article because it was published by TED Talks which is holds conference events to
spread forward thinking ideas and bring light to new concepts to better our world.
Name: Brooke Mizuno
Essay Sections:
In which section will you use this source? #1 What is the problem? What are the systemic causes? Who is hurt
and who benefits?
Excerpts:
A survey and three focus groups asked low-income women about the accessibility of feminine hygiene products: “64%
(117/182) did not have money to purchase needed menstrual hygiene products at some point during the previous year.”
The study’s statistics continues to add that “Nearly two thirds (115/183) have relied on donations from community
service organizations at some point… At least five women said they had stolen pads or tampons out of desperation.”
The study also reports how “the women faced three main challenges: 1) difficulty managing heavy flow and the need
to use higher absorbency products; 2) difficulties with transportation (time and cost) to reach stores that sell larger
quantities of sanitary products at more affordable prices; and 3) concerns about safety, security, and sanitation during
menstruation”
This study also explains, “At night, these women were afraid to use a public toilet for fear of getting assaulted when
exiting the facility. Some women simply waited all night until they could get to a safe location in a public restroom,
day shelter, or soup kitchen during daylight hours. During the winter, women often went 12–14 hours overnight
without using a toilet or changing their pad or tampon.”

It shows how limited feminine products are for a woman living in poverty. The majority could not afford it,
and nearly half of women cannot buy both food and menstrual products. Receiving the products through donations
instead of dollar stores or discount box stores gives them one less expense they have to make so frequently. It saves
them money for other essential needs. This study also surveyed 18 organizations, and 9 of them only sporadically had
products available. Most of them also relied on donations from the community. There are not many options for those
women to turn to if the institutions do not have what they need. It inclines them to believe that they have no other
choice but to steal products. Although it is wrong to steal, these necessities should be fulfilled and easily accessible
without these harsh conditions.
These three challenges demonstrate the inconvenience their economic status has over receiving essential
products. Using alternative substitutes or buying cheap, low-quality products to manage their periods is not safe. For
these females and transgender males to get higher quality feminine hygiene products, they need to spend money that
they do not have enough of. Going to facilities and stores costs them a transportation fee. There is also a chance they
will not get it in time. In St. Louis, where the study was conducted, it can take more than two buses which take over an
hour roundtrip to get there. These time and costs expenses are arduous to manage while already having a scarcity of
money. Although money is tight for them, the women still want to maintain good hygiene and remain healthy while on
their cycle. Even in harsh conditions, they want to be as safe as they can while surviving each day. Sadly, the United
States economy and society as a whole do not take into account these things. Ways to minimize these three challenges
include removing the tax, lowering the price of feminine products, non-profit organizations receiving more donations
from the community or companies, and educating people on this problem.
The average female is nervous when going outside, alone at night. For women experiencing poverty, it is a
daily fear and occurrence. Them living on the streets makes them more likely to have an assault encounter than the
average women. If they want to take care of their menstruation cycle in the evening, there is a risk of getting assaulted.
This rational anxiety prevents them to maintain the proper hygiene. In the study, 112/182 females changed their pads
or tampons five or more times per day on their heaviest days. There is a possibility one or two of those times are in the
evening, at a time where they are apprehensive to leave their designated area. Enduring harsh conditions of being
homeless, on top of the fear of being raped determine how they manage their menstruation cycle. All of them want a
safe place where they can take care of themselves. In reality, these economic and societal obstacles shouldn’t impact it
to such a degree, yet it does. Having a secure place where these females can fulfill their personal hygiene needs is a
demanding idea to achieve.
MLA Work Cited:
Sebert, Kuhlmann, Anne PhD, MPH, et al. “Unmet Menstrual Hygiene Needs Among Low-Income Women.”
Obstetrics & Gynecology, vol. 133, no. 2, Feb. 2019, pp. 238–244. EBSCOhost,
doi:10.1097/AOG.0000000000003060. Accessed on 25 Feb. 2021.
This is a reputable and reliable article because before publishing, it had to go through a demanding peer viewing
process by many scholars and the journals are based on research and facts, not opinions.
Date: 1 March 2021
Name: Brooke Mizuno
Essay Sections:
In which section will you use this source? #2: What has been and is being done? (Use two sources.)
Excerpts:
In the beginning of the documentary, it shows Arunachalam Muruganantham, an entrepreneur and “the man who
invented the low-cost sanitary napkin machine. Our mission is creating India into a 100% napkin-using country from
the current level of less than 10%.”
The women began working there and mentioned their conditions in the documentary: “Working hours from 9:00AM to
5:00PM. No one can visit us for a chit-chat. They sign at the time of entry and exit. We do this on a daily basis.”
By the end of the documentary, they explain, “With the marketing, it will eventually start selling in Delhi, When I’m in
Delhi and I need pads, I’ll find Fly pads in every store.”
Muruganantham brought the materials and introduced the way for the women to produce pads for their
community of Kathikhera. He shows them how to set up the equipment and manufacture. It brought confidence and
hope that their periods won’t restrain them from certain activities. He wants to make sure that more females have
access to feminine products in India. In the documentary, one of the women featured mentioned how no one in her
family uses it due to the unaffordability. Because of his generosity, they produced more than 18,000 inexpensive pads
for the other women in their community to buy. He started the train of change for these women, brought a solution to
them, began a revolution against the societal stigma of menstruation to which the women continue to follow.
After the women were taught how to make pads, they began working for long, tireless hours. Because it was
not safe to work at night or the electricity will go off on occasions, those setbacks inspired them to grind out the
production process when they have the chance. It was a serious matter for them. The females being eager about what
prosperity this can bring for women in the future pushed them even more. It demonstrates the level of the females’
determination for accessible pads in their village. In the end, their willpower towards the cause allowed the unification
of women in their community and success to their business.
Because of their success from the purchasing of their pads, they could advance their product from their village
to stores in Delhi. Another result of their accomplishments is they can do things outside of what social standards
constricts them to do. Many of the workers were able to fund their training for the Delhi Police from the earnings they
received from the pads. It has not only made their daily lives easier for when their menstrual cycle occurs but has
brought them an economic fortune that allows the opportunity for them to be more than a wife. It motivates them for
greatness outside of what society tells them and encourages the women around them.
MLA Work Cited:

Period. End of the Sentence. Directed by Rayka Zehtabchi, performance by Sneha, Suman, Rekha, Preeti,
Shushma, Roksana, etc. Netflix, 2019. Netflix, www.netflix.com/title/81074663. Accessed 1 March 2021.
This is a reputable and reliable article because it is a documentary based on a true experience and was to bring
awareness to their organization, The Pad Project. Netflix has made many other documentaries that are deemed
respectable which inclines me to trust that this is a reliable source.
Date: 5 March 2021
Name: Brooke Mizuno
Essay Sections:
In which section will you use this source? #2: What has been and is being done?
Excerpts:
This article mentions 5 separate organizations that are fighting period poverty and one of them is Binti Period: “Binti
Period is a charity that focuses on increasing accessibility to menstrual products and improving affordability. It does
this by facilitating access to these products and also by training women to make their own. Binti Period also raises
awareness about how to properly care for one’s body during menstruation and aims to decrease the stigma surrounding
menstruation.”
Another one of the organization the article writes about is Days for Girls who “works to develop global partnerships,
cultivate social enterprises, mobilize volunteers and come up with sustainable solutions to fight stigma and period
poverty. It conceptualized DfG (Days for Girls) kits which provide up to three years of period-related products, such as
liners, pads, underwear and soap.”
In the article, it describes, “Lunapads is a female-owned business that sells reusable pads, period underwear and
menstrual cups. It also has a global mission to provide access and education to girls and women worldwide through its
program, Pads for Girls.”
Binti Period is an international organization helping women in need. They arranged events in the United
States, United Kingdom, Swaziland, Kenya, and India. They have taught females how to make their own feminine
products like pads. It allows them to access menstruation products even if they are not economically stable. It, in turn,
educates them on how to be self-sufficient. They can teach other women in their community how to make their own. It
creates a cycle of helping one another. It also conserves Binti Period’s donations so they won’t immediately run out
and can give them to more women. With both these strategies in play, they can benefit more female’s lives. Providing
education about the menstruation cycle normalizes the conversation and has people be more comfortable about it. They
are trying to fight the taboos and bring the availability of products to impoverished females. Their tactics have caused
the women they helped to feel empowered about their bodies.
Days for Girls try to fight against period poverty in multiple ways. Politically, they worked with governments
and partnerships to create awareness campaigns and develop menstrual health programs. They also have social
entrepreneurs where they manufacture and distribute their DfG kits to developing communities. Days for Girls also
provide education in those communities not only to females but to males. They believe it is important for both genders
to understand how their bodies work. They have even made their own pads where it can last up to 3 years. Because
most of these women cannot afford to buy packs of feminine products and they understand how wasteful 8-hour pads
and tampons can be, they created a sustainable alternative. It benefits women and the environment. With all their
strides, they have managed to help millions of girls in more than 125 countries. Their hard work is paying off, but it is
still not enough to defeat period poverty. More people must learn about these organizations and contribute to the cause.
The more recognition institutions receive, we will be one step closer to ending period poverty.
Lunapads, now rebranded to Aisle, has made reusable feminine products that are sustainable and absorbent.
While attempting to tackle period poverty, they also manage to fight for body inclusivity. They make sure their period
underwear fits females of all shapes and sizes. Because most menstruation products aren’t eco-friendly, they end up
contributing to landfills. Aisle wanted to help save the environment while saving women with their products. They
have helped more than 17,000 females in more than 18 countries. They also assisted many organizations when they
first started up, such as Days for Girls International, Period Promise, Girl Stuff Period, and more. They are one of the
contributing reasons why institutions trying to end period poverty have lasted and become successful. This community
of women helping women brings hope and motivation to conquering period poverty in the long run.
MLA Work Cited:
Griego, Keeley. “5 Companies Fighting Period Poverty.” BORGEN, 29 Aug. 2019,

www.borgenmagazine.com/companies-fighting-period-poverty/. Accessed 7 March 2021.
This is a reputable and reliable article because all the information the article gathered about each organization was
from their websites and this magazine fights against extreme poverty. All their articles are about poverty in different
aspects around the world.

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Research Log #1 - Solutionary Project 2021

Date: 11 February 2021

Commentary and Analysis:

MLA Work Cited:

Commentary and Analysis:

MLA Work Cited:

Commentary and Analysis:

MLA Work Cited:

Commentary and Analysis:

MLA Work Cited:

Commentary and Analysis:

MLA Work Cited:

Commentary and Analysis:

MLA Work Cited:

Griego, Keeley. “5 Companies Fighting Period Poverty.” BORGEN, 29 Aug. 2019,

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