Free menstrual products are now available in Medicine Hat Catholic junior and senior high schools. (Photo Courtesy Frank Buck)

By Chris Brown

Period Promise unveiled in Medicine Hat Catholic schools

Sep 29, 2022 | 3:22 PM

MEDICINE HAT, AB – Students in Medicine Hat Catholic schools now have free and easy access to menstrual products.

Eleven menstrual product dispensing machines are now in St. Mary’s School, Notre Dame Academy and Monsignor McCoy High School.

Kathy Glasgo, board chair of the Medicine Hat Catholic Board of Education, campaigned on the issue last year when running for a trustee seat during the municipal election.

Following the election in October, Catholic Board Supt. Dwayne Zarichny and the United Way executive director Missy Fandrick worked to create the Period Promise Campaign. The United Way donated the machines and provided $5,000 worth of products.

Glasgo said she hopes it relieves some anxiety for students, particularly those who struggle to afford such products.

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“If you have young girls at school that are worried about, they may have an accident or they don’t have product with them or stuff like that, they need that and so we need to provide it for them. We provide other things for them so why not menstrual products,” Glasgo said, adding that witnessing her passion project become a reality was emotional.

“When I saw the machine this morning I almost teared up,” she said Friday.

St. Mary’s Taya Kornelson says she and other students are happy to see the machines and products in schools.

“I think it’s really helpful because then it can help people to feel safe in their own skin. Like to be able to come to school and know that there’s stuff there in case they come unprepared,” said the Grade 9 student.

Glasgo says products will also be available to students at the office in the division’s elementary schools and the division has budgeted to purchase products in the future.