Second New Jersey Menstrual Health Equity Summit to Occur December 2

Today, The Flow Initiative - a national organization dedicated to eradicating period poverty and achieving menstrual equity for all - announced New Jersey’s second annual Menstrual Health Equity Summit set to occur on Saturday, December 2, 2023. The summit will take place at Dvora Hall in Jersey City from 12pm to 4:30pm and doors will open at 11am.

During the summit, attendees will be educated on the social issue of period poverty, the unsung heroes of menstrual equity, innovation in the menstrual health space, and the power of inclusion and how to implement community-driven approaches in New Jersey. Attendees will learn information through a panel, fireside chat, and onsite resources providing free information. To date, speakers include the following influential and grassroots leaders:

• Eiko La Boria, Founder and CEO, The Flow Initiative
• Sabrina Browne, Partner, The Flow Initiative
• Tara Norman, Director of Diversity, Inclusion, & Health Equity, Planned Parenthood of Northern, Central, and Southern NJ
• Dr. Jesselly De La Cruz, Executive Director, Latino Action Network Foundation
• Chelsea Duffy, Founder, Local Modiv
• Tami Weaver Henry, Board Chair, Jersey City Women’s Advisory Board
• Dr. Chanelle Adams-Griffin, Administrator, Hudson County Office of Health Equity Services
• Claudia Wheeler, Founder, The Salt Foundation
• And more to be announced soon!

"Menstrual health innovation and the intersection of social issues is critical to decreasing period poverty here in Jersey City and nationwide," said La Boria. "The New Jersey Menstrual Health Equity Summit aims to educate people on the grassroots efforts that enable access to menstrual products and the ideas and innovation that can only sprout from doing the hard work with the people on the ground."

During the summit, attendees will receive a first look at The Flow Initiative Menstrual Health Caddy, a groundbreaking innovation that is positioned to accelerate menstrual product accessibility, making it more convenient and accessible to those in need. While menstrual product dispensers have become commonplace, The Flow Initiative Caddy will provide direct access within bathroom stalls to help reduce stigma and shame often associated with menstruation. The caddy will also offer a variety of free menstrual products and sizes to ensure individuals can access the products they need and help reduce rates of period poverty in local communities.

To decrease New Jersey’s rising rates of period poverty, Governor Phil Murphy signed Bill A-1349 requiring school districts to provide menstrual products free of charge in every public school teaching students in one or more of grades 6 through 12. By working to address period poverty through convenient and free access to menstrual hygiene products in our schools, this legislation builds on the Murphy Administration’s ongoing efforts to equitably advance women’s health in New Jersey.

In addition to legislative action, grassroots organizations such as The Flow Initiative are critical to close the gaps and reach the state's most vulnerable communities. Founded by La Boria, The Flow Initiative has distributed more than 1 million products to women, girls, and members of the LGBTQ+ community. La Boria works with her partner, Browne, to conduct educational workshops on menstrual health, partner with local and national organizations, and work with elected officials to advance menstrual health legislation such as Bill A-1349.

“Period poverty impacts all of us due to a combination of systemic economic, racial and gender inequities,” said Browne. “The New Jersey Menstrual Health Equity Summit is a critical moment to discuss these issues, explore solutions, and connect residents to the grassroots leaders who are doing the work daily to help end period poverty and achieve menstrual equity.”

All residents are encouraged to attend the free event and can register on Eventbrite. Attendees will receive complimentary lunch, a gift bag of menstrual products, and Thinx reusable underwear will be provided to youth attendees. To date, sponsors include Dvora, Thrive NJ Coalition, Thinx, The Hoboken Girl, and Healthier JC. For event updates, follow along on social media at hashtag #NJHMHES2023.

To become a speaker and/or sponsor of the summit, please contact eiko@theflowinitiativefoundation.org. To conduct a media interview, please contact sabrina.browne@bcw-global.com.