February 27, 2024
Baraboo High School student Anne Langkamp has taken significant steps towards menstrual equity by providing free menstrual products in all female restrooms, gender-neutral restrooms, the girls' locker room, the strength and conditioning restroom, the staff bathroom, and the WINGS building. This initiative has been a culmination of dedicated efforts, collaboration, and community support.
Anne Langkamp, a student at Baraboo High School, initiated the Period Positivity Project as part of her senior independent study. Her inspiration stemmed from her research on period poverty during her History of Social Movements class project. One of the driving statistics she uncovered was that 42% of students at Baraboo High School receive free or reduced lunch, prompting her to question how those in need could afford menstrual products.
Under the mentorship of her advisors, Ms. Onken and Ms. Lombardi, Anne decided to address this issue directly. Ms. Onken played a crucial role in empowering Anne and guiding her towards valuable resources, including the assistance of high school social worker Ms. Lombardi.
Ms. Lombardi became an essential part of the project, offering guidance on implementation strategies, securing grant funding, and navigating school board approval. After Ms. Lombardi pointed Anne in the right direction, Anne took the reins of the project, conducting grant writing and research to secure funding.
Anne successfully applied for the Class of 1976 Education Innovation Grant, which provided the necessary funds to purchase and install dispensers in twelve bathrooms throughout Baraboo High School. The grant not only made the project financially viable but also demonstrated the school's commitment to fostering innovation and addressing important social issues.
The dispensers are now stocked with menstrual products through community donations, ensuring a sustainable and ongoing solution. Anne expressed gratitude for the overwhelming support from her peers, saying, "Students will come up to me saying they used products and are so thankful there were products available in the bathroom. It is nice to know my project is benefiting my peers."
The initiative has received widespread praise, not only for addressing a crucial issue but also for empowering students like Anne to make positive changes within their community. In February Anne was given the Good Citizen Award from the Wisconsin Area DAR (Daughters of the American Revolution, in May she will be giving a thorough presentation on Period Poverty with the DAR. This project has set a precedent for menstrual equity, demonstrating the impact that student-driven projects can have on fostering a more inclusive and supportive educational environment!
If you would like to donate period products to support The Period Positivity Project, please contact BHS school social worker Jen Lombardi at jlombardi@barabooschools.net.