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We Did It!

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Sine Die 2022 – Priority Success!

As it has been since 2020, the 2022 Georgia Legislative Session continued to present problems for advocates — January began with high COVID transmission rates. Combining the prevalence of the virus with Georgia’s low vaccination rates meant in person advocacy at the Capitol was a challenge! Nevertheless, Georgia STOMP advocates succesfully pivoted to new methods of education and outreach to elected officials.

The coalition successfully advocated to add $200,000 to the state budget for the purpose of providing period products to Georgia’s 5th grade students! This was one of three Georgia STOMP legislative priorities for 2022.

The addition of this funding means numerous elementary schools in Georgia will receive state funding for menstrual products for the first time!

Sadly, we have still not been heard regarding the discrimination resulting from state assessing a sales tax on menstrual products — a medical necessity about which there is no choice!

Georgia STOMP will regroup and present the newly elected 2023 legislature with a new version of the tax elimination bill.  (HB810 summarily “died” at the end of the 2022 session.)

We Did It!

Adele Stewart

Georgia STOMP Participates in National Panel

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One of many ways that Georgia STOMP is connected to efforts across the nation to bring Menstrual Equity, is through a coalition of advocates created in 2022 called Mujeres and Menstruators United (MAMU).

MAMU’s purpose is to convene menstrual activists from across the country to strengthen the movement to end period poverty. The goal of MAMU is to pass policy on the local, state & federal level so menstrual products are as universal as toilet paper. At bimonthly coalition meetings, the national group shares resources from activists on the ground working to pass period policy and works collectively to pass the Menstrual Equity for All Act, recently reintroduced by Congresswoman Meng (D-NY) 

On March 28th, MAMU hosted its first national panel on period policy.

Adele Stewart, Co-chair of Georgia STOMP, participated in that panel to relate progress made in Georgia and the work of Georgia STOMP.

Panelists l Panelistas: 
Adele Stewart, Georgia STOMP (Georgia) 
Noelle Spencer, University of Pittsburgh (Pennsylvania) 
Lysne Tait, Helping Women Period (Michigan) 
Samantha Glover, Red Equity (Nevada)

This panel was moderated by Eiko La Boria from the Flow Initiative in New Jersey and Sasha Goodfriend from the Massachusetts Chapter of the National Organization for Women (Mass NOW).

The panel addressed questions about period poverty research, policy goals, and the impact of free period products in communities.

To watch the video, go to https://drive.google.com/file/d/1C-l9ysIwgWsQ2-Rm6SHlt-PE05m7oC7n/view?usp=sharing

Adele Stewart

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Junior Leagues of Georgia SPAC at the Capitol

Junior Leagues of Georgia SPAC members
Junior Leagues of Georgia SPAC members

Member organization, Junior League of Georgia State Public Affairs Committee (Georgia SPAC), held their day at the Capitol on Wednesday, February 23rd.

Adele Stewart and Dominique Holloman (Georgia STOMP Board members) were present to update the group on Georgia STOMP priorities.

The fortuitous timing of the Capitol Day meant those attending were present when Claire Cox, Georgia STOMP Chair, spoke to both House Appropriation Subcommittees!

SPAC members wore their HB810 buttons and advocated for passage of the bill to eliminate sales tax on menstrual products while under the Gold Dome!

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HB 861 Media Coverage

House Bill 861 aims to increase access to women’s menstrual products

MACON, Ga. — A new bill in the Georgia legislature aims to increase access to menstrual products for women and girls over the age of 11.

If the bill passes, public schools, jails, homeless shelters, and housing facilities would be required to provide disposable menstrual products at no cost.

In the bill, menstrual products are outlined as “products used by menstruating individuals, including, but not limited to, sanitary napkins, tampons, and underwear liners.”

The group, Georgia STOMP (Stop Tax On Menstrual Products) has been on the front line since 2017 to address “issues of menstrual equity and period poverty in Georgia.”

Georgia STOMP Chair Claire Cox said if the bill is passed the bill would increase access to other places.

“This bill goes beyond that and says local school systems should be a part of providing products in schools,” said Cox.

House Bill 861 says schools with students from sixth through 12th grade, the board would provide disposable menstrual products in the bathroom at no cost.

Macon Periods Easier president Erin Hawkins said the bill would help limit obstacles women and girls over the age of 11.

“Our big thing is removing any kind of barriers for those either continue their education or continuing with their job,” said Hawkins.

Macon Periods Easier is a group that provides menstrual products to schools, churches and community centers.

They have partnered with stores like 7th Street Salvage in downtown Macon to help raise donations.

But who is going to pay for the products in the schools, jails, and homeless shelters? 

Cox said it’ll be the entities that are mandated to supply them.

“This bill, along with existing state funding and recent policy changes in Georgia, would greatly increase access to those who need period products, allowing them to be present in school and in the workplace,” said Cox.

Cox said some places like Z Beans Coffee have menstrual products in the women’s bathroom. She just hopes the bill destigmatize women’s health.

“I do think it’s important to normalize the process and the natural healthy experience of menstruation,” said Cox.

 
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“Georgia STOMP IGNITEs the Capitol”

Tuesday, February 8th was Georgia STOMP’s 2022 Day at the Capitol. The event was jointly hosted with member organization, IGNITE National. The successful partnership resulted in many new faces to Georgia STOMP. Georgia STOMP’s 2022 Legislative priorities were reviewed and opportunities for conversations with legislators were provided. IGNITE resources enabled direct advocacy to legislators despite virtual attendance and not “in person” opportunities under the Gold Dome.

Rep. Ron Stephens

Rep. Ron Stephens

The event opened with remarks from Christina Williams, IGNITE’s Atlanta Fellow and Claire Cox, Chair of Georgia STOMP. IGNITE Southeast Region Program Manager Loren Walter led a fireside chat with La Lune founder Stella Kwon to hear the voice of young women advocating in Georgia. Chairman Ron Stephens (D-196, Savannah), a signer of all three bills to eliminate the state sales tax on menstrual products in Georgia, brought greetings an an update from the Capitol.

Georgia STOMP Membership Chair, Dominique Holloman, facilitated a lively panel discussion with Representatives Kim Schofield (D-60, Atlanta) and Debbie Buckner (D-137, Junction City), both champions of menstrual equity work in Georgia. During the event, Ashlie James, founder of Atlanta GLOW, read HR 751 declaring February 8, 2022 as “Georgia STOMP Day at the Capitol” and reported that every legislator in the House of Representatives received a pamphlet with information about Georgia STOMP.

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Dominique Holloman (L) and Rep. Kim Schofield (R)

Dominique Holloman (L) and Rep. Kim Schofield (R)

Menstruation Conversation

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Menstruation Conversation: A Youth Action Hour

Top: Aanika Eragam & Areeba Hashmi/Bottom: Jamie Lackey and Stella Kwon

Top: Aanika Eragam & Areeba Hashmi/Bottom: Jamie Lackey and Stella Kwon

On Saturday, January 29th, Youth Leadership in the Georgia STOMP Coalition hosted an advocacy training event, led BY youth FOR youth!

Georgia STOMP Board Member Aanika Eragam assembled a planning team from multiple organizations including her own, Period Atlanta.

Presenters were Stella Kwon (La Lune), Jamie Lackey (Helping Mamas), and Areeba Hashmi (Period Project UGA). Each shared their organization’s contribution to menstrual justice advocacy in Georgia and discussed how high school and college students can advocate for menstrual justice in their communities.

Aanika then gave an overview of Georgia STOMP Legislative Priorities and using member organization, IGNITE’s online resources, participants were able to reach out to their legislators via email, tweets and phone calls during the session. 

The Youth Leadership team for this event has plans for future activities focused on teens and college students in Georgia.  Stay tuned!

Menstruation Conversation Attendees
IG Menstrual Advocacy 101 A Lunch and Learn-2

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Menstrual Advocacy 101: A Lunch and Learn

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In a well attended event on January 12, Georgia STOMP hosted Menstrual Advocacy 101: A Lunch and Learn session for advocates in Georgia — new and experienced — to brush up on best practices for “being heard” under the Gold Dome in Atlanta.

The session was expertly led by Stacey Chavis, Junior Leagues of Georgia SPAC Chair Elect and Dr. Elesia Glover of member organization, Posh Pack, Inc. Both of the women shared insightful lessons based on their personal experiences working with, advocating to, and educating legislators. Lessons varied from the basic “be nice” and use good etiquette, to specific guidance on how to gain access to state leadership and what to talk about when you make a call, write an email or show up at the Capitol. 

Georgia STOMP Vice-Chair, Adele Stewart presented Georgia STOMP’s 2022 Priorities and then Dr. Glover and Stacey Chavis role played calling the Governor’s office. The morning was informative and entertaining and, based on feedback and retention of attendees, the audience felt their lunch was well spent!

Dr. Elesia Glover (Posh Pack, Inc.), Adele Stewart (Georgia STOMP Vice-chair) and Stacey Chavis (Junior Leagues of Georgia SPAC) role play an advocacy call to the Governor's Office!
Dr. Elesia Glover (Posh Pack, Inc.), Adele Stewart (Georgia STOMP Vice-chair) and Stacey Chavis (Junior Leagues of Georgia SPAC) role play an advocacy call to the Governor’s Office!
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Educate. Advocate. Donate.

East Point/College Park Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. hosts the largest Georgia STOMP Candid Conversation to date!

 

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On Saturday, December 11th, Georgia STOMP was the featured program at an event hosted by East Point/College Park Alumnae Chapter Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.

Educate. Advocate. Donate. was the theme of the day as chapter members and guests learned about the issues of period poverty and menstrual equity. 
 
Georgia STOMP Membership Chair, Dominique Holloman, and Dr. Heather Scott of member organization, the Junior League of Douglas County, expertly conducted a Candid Conversation for over 100 virtual participants and kept them engaged and participating for the entire 1½ hours.
 
 
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The virtual “All White Party”  was the culmination of several months of coordinating between Georgia STOMP and EP/CP Delta chapter leadership. In November, the entire organization of Delta Sigma Theta, Inc. (DST) adopted a Resolution at its National convention Atlanta to support the elimination of sales tax on menstrual products nationwide. The event on the 11th was planned to provide DST members information on the effects of period poverty, the inequity of the tax and the existence of HB810 before the legislature in Georgia. 

A Candid Conversation — normally a small intimate event — was hosted for the more than 100 in attendance. Candid Conversations are designed to break the stigma and shame associated with talking about periods equipping advocates to talk about the needs of menstruators in public conversations.

The “donate” portion of the program benefitted two Georgia STOMP member organizations — Atlanta GLOW and The Dignity Pack project. Over $1500 of period related products were donated by DST members to these two organizations who work to meet the needs of menstruators lacking period products. 

The day was a complete success and the DST’s are fired up and ready to work for the passage of HB810 in the 2022 legislative session! Are you?

EPCP Resolution_National Convention 2021
Delta Sigma Theta Final Flyer
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