Why Actress And Entrepreneur Olivia Culpo Is Helping Fight Period Poverty

In response to COVID-19, actress and entrepreneur Olivia Culpo recently launched More Than a Mask (MTAM). With each purchase of these face masks, it donates a portion of its sales to a charitable organization. Past partnerships have included Feeding America, Color of Change, and Girls Inc. MTAM was created in collaboration with Reunited Clothing and Hilda Batayneh, executive creative director.

This week, Ms. Culpo announced that they are teaming up with PERIOD. PERIOD is a youth-fueled nonprofit that strives to eradicate period poverty and stigma through service, education, and advocacy. By distributing menstrual products, promoting youth leadership, and championing menstrual equity in policy, PERIOD aims to center those disproportionately affected by period poverty and support local efforts for menstrual equity.

Together, they have created an informative social campaign and fundraising initiative to address Period Poverty. Alongside the leading nonprofit, Ms. Culpo hopes to help eradicate period poverty and period stigma, essential issues that have only been exacerbated this past year due to the pandemic.

This partnership was inspired by Olivia’s health journey battling endometriosis, which has opened her eyes to the difficulties women, girls, and individuals face across the world regarding access to proper healthcare and resources.

“I had been suffering a lot for a long time and was so isolated and depressed,” Ms. Culpo said. “I had the luxury of healthcare, a family that was so supportive and I’m a pretty outgoing person. I am so heartbroken those who don’t have that support, access to care or are embarrassed to talk about their period with others. I felt like I had to turn this experience into something that would help other women and girls.”

Using her platform to spread awareness about female rights and educate her audience, she seeks to change the global conversation around reproductive health.

Talking About Period Health

According to UNICEF, women spend an average of seven years of their lifetime on their periods. Understandably, this can add up financially. Making matters worse, a recent study commissioned by Period and Thinx discovered that 1 in 5 teens in the U.S. struggles to afford period products or could not purchase them at all.

In addition, a 2018 poll by Always found that nearly 1 in 5 girls in the United States have left school early or stayed home because they did not have period products. Period poverty and lack of proper period products can not only lead to significantly higher infection and emotional anxiety risks.

“Given my personal experience with endometriosis, I realized how important it is to break the stigma around periods and eradicate period poverty.” Ms. Culpo shared. Endometriosis affects one in ten women and can sometimes take seven to eight years to diagnose.

The model and former Miss USA and Miss Universe have openly shared her journey after enduring more than three years of struggling with increasingly painful periods. Her struggle to get correctly diagnosed with endometriosis and her connection with the Endometriosis Foundation Of America inspired her to raise awareness around period health.

“I felt like as I shared my endometriosis journey, and the feedback was mind-blowing,” said Culpo. “The condition can be so painful that I can’t imagine going through that pain again or being ashamed of what I was feeling. Many don’t feel comfortable discussing our periods, but being empowered and having a truly healthy conversation around menstrual health is needed. Creating an honest and open conversation, in general, is so valuable.”

Period Poverty and Tampon Tax

In the U.S., 35 states are charging women a sales tax when they buy feminine hygiene products. Women spend approximately an additional $150 million per year on menstrual products.

When asked why the majority of America’s states charge tax on menstrual products and view menstrual products as a luxury item rather than necessary, Ms. Culpo answered, “If everyone had a period, things would be different. That’s how I feel. They should never be considered a luxury item. They are essential. We have to build a conversation around this as women for future generations. It is so important.”

A survey of low-income women in a large U.S. city found that nearly two-thirds couldn’t afford menstrual hygiene products such as tampons or pads during the previous year. In an Obstetrics & Gynecology report, researchers showed that more than one in five women said they had this problem every month.

A matching mask and jumpsuit set will be available for purchase through MTAM in four different colors. The proceeds from each purchase will fund a full six months of period protection for a menstruator in need. For two jumpsuits, that would equal one full year of menstrual supplies to those who need it.

As we end our conversation, Ms. Culpo adds, “Knowledge is power. Whether it’s your health, period, or how to advocate for your care or others, educate yourself as much as you can. Having an honest dialogue can help eradicate period poverty and break down the stigma around menstrual health so future generations can live a more empowered and healthy life.”