163. Period Poverty and the Tampon Tax: The Audacity of Advocacy

What if one conversation in a bustling New York City restaurant could spark a movement in menstrual equity?  You’re about to hear a story of passion, dedication, and the audacity of advocacy. In this episode of Pediatric Meltdown, your host Dr. Lia Gaggino sits down with special guest Anusha Singh, a medical student at Ohio State who is harnessing a powerful force of change. Together, they explore Anusha's journey as a student-turned-advocate, from organizing a press conference that caught the attention of five presidential candidates to testifying in front of lawmakers to repeal the tampon tax. Her dedication to addressing period poverty and fighting for change serves as a powerful reminder that one person's voice can spark a movement. So, let us take her example to heart and use our own voices, stories, and actions to break down barriers, challenge societal norms, and create a world where every person has access to the period products they need. Together, we can dismantle the stigma, create lasting change, and empower every individual to live their lives with dignity and respect.   

[00:33 -10:39] The Global Issue of Period Poverty

Definition and scope of period poverty worldwideDiscussion on the prevalence of period poverty in developing countriesExamples of initiatives and organizations working to address period poverty globallyImpact of period poverty on education, employment, and overall well-being

[10:40 - 19:53]  The Hidden Reality of Poverty  

Many people are unaware of the extent of poverty that exists, as they may live in comfortable neighborhoods with well-maintained surroundings.Communities living in poverty may be located in close proximity to more affluent areas.Personal experiences, such as missing school due to lack of access to period products, can shed light on the challenges faced by individuals in poverty.Testifying before lawmakers, regardless of age or background, can make a significant impact in addressing these issues.

[19:54 -25:59]  Amplifying the Issue through Social Media and Personal Networks

Social media helped students generate awareness and discussion on the issue.Social media's impact highlights its influence in modern activism.Dialogue and personal experiences made a substantial impact on public perception.Creating "noise" through various channels attracted attention from influential figures and organizations.

[26:00 - 32:13]  Finding Information on Tampon Tax in Your State

Utilizing period.org's mapExploring Bill Track 50 for legislation statusPeoria Law's website as another resourceAwareness raised by organizations like the American Academy of Pediatrics

[32:14 - 36:39]  Closing segment Takeaway

You can reach Anusha Singh

Instagram: @anusha_sing

Links to resources mentioned on the show

HERE is the link for the movie trailer!

HERE is the link to my TEDx talk!

www.period.org

Bill Track 50 https://www.billtrack50.com  

Days for Girls: 

What if one conversation in a bustling New York City restaurant could spark a movement in menstrual equity?  You’re about to hear a story of passion, dedication, and the audacity of advocacy. In this episode of Pediatric Meltdown, your host Dr. Lia Gaggino sits down with special guest Anusha Singh, a medical student at Ohio State who is harnessing a powerful force of change. Together, they explore Anusha's journey as a student-turned-advocate, from organizing a press conference that caught the attention of five presidential candidates to testifying in front of lawmakers to repeal the tampon tax. Her dedication to addressing period poverty and fighting for change serves as a powerful reminder that one person's voice can spark a movement. So, let us take her example to heart and use our own voices, stories, and actions to break down barriers, challenge societal norms, and create a world where every person has access to the period products they need. Together, we can dismantle the stigma, create lasting change, and empower every individual to live their lives with dignity and respect.   

[00:33 -10:39] The Global Issue of Period Poverty

Definition and scope of period poverty worldwideDiscussion on the prevalence of period poverty in developing countriesExamples of initiatives and organizations working to address period poverty globallyImpact of period poverty on education, employment, and overall well-being

[10:40 - 19:53]  The Hidden Reality of Poverty  

Many people are unaware of the extent of poverty that exists, as they may live in comfortable neighborhoods with well-maintained surroundings.Communities living in poverty may be located in close proximity to more affluent areas.Personal experiences, such as missing school due to lack of access to period products, can shed light on the challenges faced by individuals in poverty.Testifying before lawmakers, regardless of age or background, can make a significant impact in addressing these issues.

[19:54 -25:59]  Amplifying the Issue through Social Media and Personal Networks

Social media helped students generate awareness and discussion on the issue.Social media's impact highlights its influence in modern activism.Dialogue and personal experiences made a substantial impact on public perception.Creating "noise" through various channels attracted attention from influential figures and organizations.

[26:00 - 32:13]  Finding Information on Tampon Tax in Your State

Utilizing period.org's mapExploring Bill Track 50 for legislation statusPeoria Law's website as another resourceAwareness raised by organizations like the American Academy of Pediatrics

[32:14 - 36:39]  Closing segment Takeaway

You can reach Anusha Singh

Instagram: @anusha_sing

Links to resources mentioned on the show

HERE is the link for the movie trailer!

HERE is the link to my TEDx talk!

www.period.org

Bill Track 50 https://www.billtrack50.com  

Days for Girls:  https://www.daysforgirls.org

Celeste Mergen’s new book “The Power of Days”:  Amazon.com: The Power of Days: A Story of Resilience, Dignity, and the Fight for Women's Equity: 9781637743744: Mergens, Celeste: Books

Other episodes you may like:

https://swiy.co/PediatricMeltdownPodcast

161 Menstrual Equity Changes Lives: The Power of Days

151 American Indian/Alaskan Native Youth: Beyond Adversity

Key quotes for Twitter:

"I will say, I shadowed some pediatricians yesterday...that was such an amazing experience of seeing how big advocacy is for them and how passionate so many pediatricians are. That was really amazing."...Anusha Singh on Passionate Pediatricians

"It follows my advocacy journey Along with another advocate, to pass legislation in Michigan to repeal the Michigan tampon tax."... Anusha Singh on The Power of Advocacy in Repealing the Tampon Tax

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