First-ever Period Summit coming to Ziegler Park

Haadiza Ogwude, Cincinnati Enquirer
·3 min read
Girls Health Period will be educating the community on menstrual equity and distributing menstrual products during its first-ever period summit in Ziegler Park from 10:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m., July 30.
Girls Health Period will be educating the community on menstrual equity and distributing menstrual products during its first-ever period summit in Ziegler Park from 10:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m., July 30.

Girls Health Period will host its first-ever period summit at Ziegler Park in Over-The-Rhine from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., July 30.

The period summit, in partnership with CareSource and the Period Education Project, is designed to educate and engage the community about menstrual equity and awareness, focusing on families, educators, community partners and coaches.

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During the summit, Girls Health Period will provide free information about menstrual health, healthy eating and more. The non-profit organization will also discuss the importance of keeping girls in school and sports through a Menstrual Awareness Community Panel. The panel, which begins at 3 p.m, aims to reduce menstruation stigma.

The summit is free to attend and geared towards students aged 12 and up.

Due to limited seating, participants must RSVP to attend the menstrual education portion of the period summit. There will be two sessions, 11:30 a.m.-12:15 p.m. and 1:00-1:45 p.m.

Everyone under 16 must attend the educational session with a parent or guardian over 18.

The period summit will feature a mindful meditation and yoga session from 11:45 a.m.-12:15 p.m. and a curvy cardio session from 12:30-1 p.m.

The event will have healthy snacks and produce provided by Kroger, hydration stations provided by Lifewtr, and healthy deserts provided by Honey Child Artisan Pops. Music throughout the event will be by DJ Queen Celine.

What is Girls Health Period?

Girls Health Period was founded in 2018 by Brittani Gray, a Cincinnati native, and Walnut Hills High School and Central State University graduate. Gray started Girls Health Period to provide menstrual products and underwear to schools and to eliminate absenteeism.

Since its inception, the organization has distributed over 900,000 menstrual products and serviced over 155 schools locally and nationally. Girls Health Period also donates products to local foster and group homes, and it partners with local organizations to discuss menstruation with pregnant teens during their transition into parenthood.

When discussing the recent Supreme Court decision to overturn Roe v. Wade, Gray said sexual education is typically the starting point in regards to the topic of menstruation. According to Gray, to understand the importance of sexual education, you must first understand your body and how it functions, especially concerning menstruation.

Gray said that while the overturning of Roe v. Wade has not directly impacted her organization, she expects the decision may perpetuate the stigma surrounding all aspects of reproductive health, including menstruation.

"So health education, which is not fully regulated in our schools, is something that I feel will probably trickle down to have a negative effect," Gray said.

To register for the Girls Health Period Period Summit, visit the event page.

This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Girls Health Period menstruation event to be held at Ziegler Park