Publication Date
2026
Presentation Length
15 minutes
College
College of Pharmacy & Health Sciences
Department
Social Work, Department of
Student Level
Graduate
Faculty Mentor
Carmen Reese Foster
Presentation Type
Talk/Oral
Summary
In the United States, 25% of adolescent females lack access to adequate period products (Period., 2025). Limited access to period products disproportionately affects women of color, women from low-income areas, and rural communities (Kuhlmann & Obionu, 2024). One in six women and girls in Tennessee lives under the federal poverty line (Alliance for Period Supplies, 2025) and likely lacks adequate access to these products. This limited access forces women to use alternatives, such as toilet paper or paper towels, or to use period products longer than recommended. This can lead to serious health issues, including toxic shock syndrome, and make it difficult to participate in life, school, or work (Mayo Clinic, 2025). Senate Bill 2683 (House Bill 2461) increases access to period products in schools by requiring the Tennessee Department of Education to supply schools with free period products. Additionally, the bill would make period products sales tax-exempt, removing an almost 10% tax in some areas. SB2683 matters to social workers in Tennessee as it directly addresses period poverty, a barrier to health, education, and participation in daily life. This provides equitable access to resources and aligns with the social work values of social justice and promoting the dignity and worth of the person. NASW TN’s legislative priorities align with SB2683, emphasizing advancing women’s health, ensuring access to education, and supporting policies that reduce disparities for marginalized groups. SB2683 is not merely a policy, but a meaningful step toward dismantling structural inequities and supporting the well-being of all Tennesseans.
Recommended Citation
DeGraeve, Gabriel and Bennett, Monica, "Period Poverty" (2026). SPARK Symposium Presentations. 1138.
https://repository.belmont.edu/spark_presentations/1138
