As part of Pennington Intersectional Feminism Club’s (IFC) overall effort to foster wider empathy for women and the female experience, the club recently ran its period pain initiative for the second year. This initiative, led by co-leaders Nina F. ‘25, Mari G. ‘25, Saniya B. ‘26, and Allegra M. ‘27, centered a male faculty member’s use of a period cramp simulator. IFC member Sammy Lambdin ‘24 created this idea to demonstrate the extent to which women’s pain is minimized. Lambdin wanted to replicate the experience of period pain for a man who could then demonstrate the validity and extremity of menstrual cramps as someone who had never experienced it prior. 

The period cramp simulator also served as a hook to draw attention to the club’s overall goal of creating awareness and action surrounding the issue of menstrual inequity. The project kicked off with a week-long period product drive which was framed as a competition; the community nominated the male teacher they most wanted to see hooked up to the cramp simulator by placing donations in the box marked with a photo of that teacher. Len Leib, a longtime instructor of computer science and statistics, was crowned the winner of this year's competition. As he answered multiple choice questions related to the AP computer science and AP statistics topics he teaches, the co-leaders increased the intensity of the simulator. While there was no denying the entertainment value which Leib provided, he also helped illuminate IFC’s mission of creating empathy, stating, “If women have to go through this, I can deal with it too.” 

During the same presentation, IFC members relayed statistics on the multiple costs associated with monthly menstruation, including the financial, physical, and emotional toll periods take. They also touched upon the privilege students have at The Pennington School; the majority of menstruating individuals have ready access to period products and medication and are afforded time to rest. IFC has historically recognized this need for period products and past IFC leader Kenza Idrissi ‘21 is the reason why the School now provides period products in every bathroom. 

For those who lack access to period products, particularly incarcerated or unhoused individuals, menstruation is a monthly burden that strips them of their dignity, hygiene, and safety. IFC’s goal in sharing this information with the larger School community was to encourage action. All of the proceeds from the menstrual product drive go to HomeFront. HomeFront is a local organization dedicated to providing holistic aid to those either experiencing or on the verge of homelessness. This year, IFC collected approximately 75 boxes of products, or roughly the equivalent of $750.

IFC hopes to continue this initiative next year with the goal of expanding its outreach and presenting the issue of menstrual inequity to the entire community. As Feder '25 stated, “Everyone deserves access to these products in order to live with health and dignity. We can all play a part in decreasing the burden of period poverty.” The club hopes that everyone who attended the presentation left with a greater understanding of why access to period products and methods of alleviating period pain should not be a privilege for some. IFC would thank to thank the community, especially Mr. Leib and IFC facilitator Dr. Andrews, for their support.