Amelia Newett and Crystal Uribe Features Editor and Photo Editor
This year , seniors Olivia Dowdle ( VA ) and Jovi Nieto ( IA ) introduced OCSA to a club of a whole new realm : periods . XX Initiative is “ a club focused on helping the women of our community by donating feminine products , and also educating people on periods and trying to get rid of the social stigma against talking about it openly ”, said Dowdle , the club ’ s co-president .
XX Initiative hopes to focus on gathering feminine products to deliver to homeless shelters and local women who do not have access to such items . Other hopes for the club include educating people on the pink tax , the tax on
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feminine products .
Dowdle explained there tends to be “ a social stigma against periods and women feel like they can ’ t talk about it openly and it adds to body shaming .
“ They feel like they need to hide a part of them . [ They shouldn ’ t ] be ashamed or hide [ their ] tampons or pads when you go to the bathroom . Who cares ? Most females go through it .”
The club is not only intended to help women become more accustomed to their bodies , but also welcomes students of all genders .
Nieto hopes people of all genders attend , as “[ the club is ] definitely not just a women ’ s only thing . That ’ s a huge part of it . We want everyone to feel like they can come in and talk about it and be involved because
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it ’ s not a feminist issue , it ’ s just a social issue , so everyone should be involved in it .”
Dowdle expressed , “ It ’ s really good to educate yourself on this type of thing because it ' s more than likely that you are going to be interacting with somebody who has their period or you have it yourself .”
The co-presidents hope that students won ’ t be afraid to involve themselves in a topic that affects a large percentage of OCSA ’ s population .
With this , Nieto and Dowdle hope to spark conversation at OCSA regarding menstruation and the “ desexualization of the female body ”, according to Nieto .
The club is meant to serve as a catalyst for students to donate feminine hygeine products
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at club meetings or in the box in the designated club room and to get involved in helping women of the community .
To get involved , sit in on the next club meeting , held every other
Wednesday in room T300 .
To learn more , email the club presidents at nietojovi @ gmail . com , or follow the club ’ s Instagram , @ xxinitiative .
XX Initiative ’ s logo designed by senior Olivia Dowdle ( VA ) Photo courtesy of Olivia Dowdle
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