Breaking the Cycle of Period Poverty: Sudbury’s Period Promise Drive

In the spirit of solidarity and collective action, the Sudbury community recently united to tackle the pervasive issues of period poverty through the Period Promise campaign.

The campaign originally started as “Tampon Tuesday,” a partnership between United Way Centraide North East Ontario and the Sudbury and District Labour Council aimed at providing menstrual products to those in need.

“Our campaign has expanded significantly since its inception,” said Katie Jug, Labour Engagement Officer for United Way Centraide North East Ontario, highlighting the initiative’s remarkable growth.

“We wanted to ensure that no one must choose between essentials and menstrual products. It’s about dignity, solidarity and community support,” Jug said.

The Period Promise drive is a great example of the power of collaboration between unions and community organizations, Jug explained.

“United Way and the Sudbury and District Labour Council have a long history of working together to address community needs. This partnership between the labour community and social services programs amplifies our impact and fosters a sense of shared responsibility.”

Terri Rinta, Financial Secretary of United Steelworkers Local 2020 and a Women of Steel committee member, emphasized the importance of union involvement.

“When unions come together, we make a real difference. We presented a challenge to our union community, and they rose to the occasion, matching and even surpassing our donations. It’s about rallying the community and ensuring everyone can access essential products,” Rinta said.

Stephanie Gunson, Chair of the Local 2020 Women of Steel Committee and the local’s Disability Specialist, spoke about the campaign’s success: “We collected tens of thousands of period products that will stay in our community and support those who need them most. Seeing people come together to address period poverty was incredible.”

Anna Iati, a North Bay representative from Enbridge Gas and Women of Steel member, shared her workplace’s contribution: “We set up a collection box and shared the message with our colleagues. Many didn’t realize how widespread period poverty is, which sparked important conversations.”

The campaign has received overwhelming support from union members and the wider community. By fostering friendly competition and promoting the cause through social media, the organizers managed to create a ripple effect that extended beyond their initial goals. As Rinta added: “No one hesitated to get involved. We created awareness, fostered community engagement, and, most importantly, made an impact.”

The organizers plan to build on this year’s success and continue advocating for menstrual equity in workplaces and the broader community in Canada for many years to come.

“We’re just getting started. Our goal is to ensure that menstrual products are accessible to everyone who needs them, and we’re committed to continuing this work until that’s a reality,” said Jug.

The Period Promise campaign is a long-time initiative and an ongoing commitment to address period poverty. The partnership between United Way and the United Steelworkers will continue to grow, with organizers are already brainstorming ways to expand the drive outside of the Sudbury community next year.

“When we stand together, we can overcome challenges. Period poverty is an issue we can’t ignore, and the response we’ve seen shows that our community cares deeply about making a difference,” Gunson said.

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