Dear GlobalGirls September 2020 Magazine

September 2020 Issue

Dear Global Girls

women's access to healthcare

The tampon Tax Kelley Kwok + PG #4

Menstrual Products and INclusion: A conversation long overdue Asmi Gujral + pg #5

Amika George and The Free Periods campaign Sophianne Leung + Pg #6

Better at home Manahil Baig + Pg #7

Birth Control: Journey to a Universal right Rhea Wanchoo + Pg #8

Menstruation Huts Sophianne Leung + Pg #9

OUR MESSAGE Dear GlobalGirls and fellow readers,

Dear GlobalGirls is a monthly digital magazine dedicated to educate, inspire, and empower young girls around the globe. Our mission is to empower girls through educating them on current events and social issues, highlighting young girls who show leadership in their communities, and overall creating a welcoming and resourceful space. Founded by two Generation Z high school students from New York City, we strive to encourage girls to speak out for themselves, inspiring them to become the next leaders of our generation.

We are beyond excited to announce that this month’s topics focus on access to contraceptives and menstrual products. Both contraceptives and menstrual products are seen as a privilege and not a right to basic healthcare. During times of Covid-19, where poverty is only increasing, we felt this issue must be addressed. All forms of contraceptives are vital and should be provided to everyone. Access to menstrual products affects so many women in the entire world, yet, the price of a pack of pads has barely changed. With a team of almost 100 girls from around the globe with a passion to create change, our voices, and our ability to speak out for our basic healthcare is critical.

Throughout this magazine, we hope to inspire others to take action in this fight for contraceptives and menstrual products. The pieces within this magazine aim to educate you on the issues at hand, while also highlighting activists who have started the movement for basic healthcare, including Amika George. Read our magazine and learn about period poverty, the stigma which surrounds it, and the shocking statistics of no access to contraceptives along with menstrual products. Let's extinguish the taboo, and normalize periods! Let's provide methods for safe sex as opposed to abstinence!

With these topics in mind, we are excited to see what is in store for Dear GlobalGirls as we currently have a team spread across seventeen states in the USA, and eight countries around the globe serving to educate, inspire, and empower girls around the world! We hope you take away a new piece of information in mind and take your part in improving the lives of women, and understanding the need for these products. Lastly, a huge thank you to our team who have been dedicated to serving our organization in the creation of our monthly magazines. We’d love to hear all your thoughts and suggestions so please email us at dearglobalgirls@gmail.com to chat or give feedback.

Sincerely, Sandra and Talia (founders)

WANT TO SEE MORE OF DEAR GLOBALGIRLS? visit our socials @dearglobalgirls

Dear GlobalGirls

Dear GlobalGirls

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Thank You for your doodles and contribution to our magazine!

THE DOODLE PROJECT The Doodle Project is a mental health page started to help educate about mental health and reduce the stigma surrounding it through art! I started the Doodle Project in the first weeks of quarantine, since I was feeling really lonely and knew others were feeling the same. I created the page to connect with other members of the mental health community and provide supportive, uplifting graphics to anyone who needs it. I also wanted to educate about mental health and the stigma surrounding it. As a person who struggles with anxiety and has dealt with an eating disorder in the past, I've experienced the negative effects of stigmas surrounding mental health and am passionate about educating about mental health disorders.

ARTSY MINDFUL Learn more about Artsy Mindful through their instagram to check out the amazing doodles!

THE.DOODLE.PROJECT

ARTSYMINDFUL

@artsymindful

The Tampon Tax

@artsymindful

By: Kelley Kwok

Periods are an uncomfortable topic for many people, even for many women who experience them. However, period products are a necessity for personal hygiene for females. It’s a basic need, yet it’s the last thing that people want to talk about.

A lack of access to period products, also known as “period poverty” is something that many girls of menstrual age face daily. In the U.S., 1 in 5 female teenagers have struggled to afford period products and 1 in 4 have missed class because of it. Those who can’t “take care of themselves” are shamed, and not being able to keep up with feminine hygiene affects a woman’s ability to want to participate in life.

In addition, many girls can not afford period products because of the “tampon tax”, a tax placed on feminine hygiene products. The tampon tax is a form of pink tax, a tax targeted at women, forcing them to pay more for products than men do. The tax on these period products make it seem like hygiene is a luxury, but it shouldn’t be. Personal hygiene shouldn’t be a luxury, it should be a necessity. Period products are as essential as toilet paper, yet many girls do not have access to them.

As a result, there have been pushes for the DOE to require schools to provide period products in school bathrooms. If toilet paper is in there, period products should be too.

1 Sanchez, Erica, and Leah Rodriguez. “Period Poverty: Everything You Need to Know.” Global Citizen, Global Citizen, 5 Feb. 2019, www.globalcitizen.org/en/content/period-poverty-everything-you-need-to-know/ 2.Tso, Tiffany. “How We Can Take Down the Tampon Tax and End Period Poverty.” Rewire.News, Rewire.News, 1 Apr. 2020, rewire.news/article/2020/04/01/how-we-can-take-down-the-tampon-tax-and-end-period-poverty/ .

3.Carroll, Linda. “Even in the U.S., Poor Women Often Can't Afford Tampons, Pads.” Reuters, Thomson Reuters, 10 Jan. 2019, www.reuters.com/article/us-health-menstruation-usa-idUSKCN1P42TX 4.Zraick, Karen. “22 States Considered Eliminating the 'Tampon Tax' This Year. Here's What Happened.” The New York Times, The New York Times, 12 July 2019, www.nytimes.com/2019/07/12/us/tampon-tax.html

@the.doodle.project

@artsymindful

MENSTRUAL PRODUCTS AND INCLUSION:A CONVERSATION LONG OVERDUE

BY: ASMI GUJRAL

From a young age, girls around the world are all taught the same thing. They are taught about how their menstrual cycle is “taboo” to talk about publicly, about how no one wants to hear about their monthly “women problems”, and that periods are just something they will have to endure for the majority of their lifetime. However, during conversations revolving around feminine hygiene and access to such resources, often the voices of economically disadvantaged women and girls do not get considered in the first place. For example, globally, 2.3 billion people live without access to basic sanitation facilities. On the other hand, in developing countries, only 27% of the population have hand-washing facilities at home. In well-developed countries like the USA, a study conducted by Harris Insights and Analytics found that, out of 1000 teens, 20% or one in five of teenage girls cannot afford to purchase menstrual products. In a 2017-2018 study, 64% of women, who were from low-income areas and participated in the study, were unable to afford menstrual hygiene products like tampons and pads during the previous year and 46% could not afford both food and menstrual hygiene products. Even though girls like myself from a young age have been conditioned to believe that periods are a female-only issue, this perspective fails to include TGNC/NB, or transgender, non-binary and gender non-conforming people.

The issue at hand, dubbed the “period poverty”, is also a dire problem for those on the gender spectrum. The National Transgender Discrimination Survey (NTDS) found that 15 percent of respondents were living in severe poverty (making less than $10,000/year).

@artsymindful

@artsymindful

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For transgender people of color, those rates were even higher, with 34 percent of Black and 28 percent of Latinx respondents reporting a household income of less than $10,000 a year. Simply put, access to menstrual hygiene products is not just a broadly-put, women’s issue. It is a gender, race, and economically under-privileged issue, and those whose identities overlap with the aforementioned groups are the ones at the forefront of this problem. The demographics most impacted by this have been identified, but why should such hygiene products be provided in public spaces for free? Other than the clear humanitarian issue presented here, hygiene products in public restrooms, for the most part, have been free to access.

These products include hand soap, paper towels, and toilet paper. Think about the last time you went to a public restroom. Were you really charged for any of these? Therefore, if essential products like soap and toilet paper are free for the public to use, why can’t that gesture be extended to essential menstrual products as well? Both excretion and menstrual cycles are involuntary by those who are subjected to it; so what is preventing your local government from subsidizing menstrual products the same way bathroom toiletries are? All of these considered, improved access to menstrual pads and tampons would allow those undergoing periods in schools, workplaces, economically-challenged neighborhoods, and underdeveloped communities to not only experience a better livelihood that every citizen, period-having or not, deserves, but would also help reduce the daily stresses they may already be facing as a woman/TGNC/NB person. @the.doodle.project

Writer’s Note: This article was written by a CIS WOC. While I can certainly empathize with TGNC/NB folks, I can never know what it is like to be them or face the same issues as them. That being said, if any of the information or the opinions expressed in this article was harmful to the TGNC/NB community, please don’t hesitate to reach out to me via email, accessible through the DGG database.

1.Sanchez, Erica, and Leah Rodriguez. “Period Poverty: Everything You Need to Know.” Global Citizen, Global Citizen, 5 Feb. 2019, www.globalcitizen.org/en/content/period-poverty-everything-you-need-to-know/.

2.Tso, Tiffany. “How We Can Take Down the Tampon Tax and End Period Poverty.” Rewire.News, Rewire.News, 1 Apr. 2020, rewire.news/article/2020/04/01/how-we-can-take-down-the-tampon-tax-and-end-period-poverty/ .

3.Carroll, Linda. “Even in the U.S., Poor Women Often Can't Afford Tampons, Pads.” Reuters, Thomson Reuters, 10 Jan. 2019, www.reuters.com/article/us-health-menstruation-usa-idUSKCN1P42TX.

4.Zraick, Karen. “22 States Considered Eliminating the 'Tampon Tax' This Year. Here's What Happened.” The New York Times, The New York Times, 12 July 2019, www.nytimes.com/2019/07/12/us/tampon-tax.html.

5.Sanchez, E. (2019, February 5). Period Poverty: Everything You Need to Know. Retrieved July 16, 2020, from https://www.globalcitizen.org/en/content/period-poverty-everything-you-need-to-know/

6.Rosa, S. (2019, October 21). Report finds 'period poverty' a top reason girls miss school. Retrieved July 16, 2020, from https://www.educationdive.com/news/report-finds-period-poverty-a-top-reason-girls-miss-school/565424 7.Roark, C. (2019, October 17). Period Poverty Is Real but the Idea That Only Women Have Periods Isn't. Retrieved July 16, 2020, from https://www.teenvogue.com/story/period-poverty-transgender-and-gender-non-conforming-people 8.Human Rights Campaign. (n.d.). Understanding the Transgender Community. Retrieved July 16, 2020, from https://www.hrc.org/resources/understanding-the-transgender-community

AMIKA GEORGE AND THE FREE PERIODS CAMPAIGN Based in London, England, a 20 year old woman has put herself forward to make a change in girls’ lives across the world. Her name is Amika George, and she’s the founder of the Free Periods Campaign.

In much of the world, periods are an uncomfortable, untouchable subject.

Menstruation is a taboo and is not brought up very often, yet it affects so many people. Cultures create a cloud of shame around this natural process, followed by judgement and stigma.

Besides the obvious, there are hidden effects to the stigmatization of periods.

Girls, specifically 25% of them in the 1 U.S., miss school because they lack access to the proper hygiene products.

It is, in fact, one of the top reasons why girls miss school. In fact, 20% of girls in the U.S. can’t afford them. 35 state 1 governments view period products as “luxury items,” imposing a tax on them.

4 However, things like medicine and groceries are tax free. But all are needed, none being luxuries, but basic necessities, so why are some taxed and not others?

It’s no different in the U.K., home of Amika George, where one in 10 girls skip school regularly because of their periods2and there is a 5% tax on period products. George, frustrated by the fact that the U.K. refused to supply schools with free hygiene products, organized a peaceful demonstration in her home country and wrote a petition persuading the government of the U.K. to pledge funds to eradicate period poverty.

From there, she launched her #FreePeriods campaign “by raising money for the legal fees needed to push the government for a permanent solution to the period poverty problem by providing free pads and tampons in schools” (TIME). By the first day, 3 George’s campaign had already raised £10,000, or about US $12,795, which was about half of their goal. Following that, George led another legal campaign to allow equal access to education for all.

But she refused to stop there. Her campaigns go on, and so does the fundraising, speaking and demonstrating. Her ambitions are large - but very possible: to destigmatize periods worldwide and prevent period poverty around the globe.

5

BY: SOPHIANNE LEUNG

1 De La Rosa, Shawna. “Report finds ‘period poverty’ a top reason girls miss school.” EducationDive, Education Dive, 21 October 2019, https://www.educationdive.com/news/reportfinds-period-poverty-a-top-reason-girls-miss-school/565424/.

2 Oppenheim, Maya. “How one teenager’s period poverty campaign has sparked change for schoolgirls across Britain.”

INDEPENDENT, INDEPENDENT News, 15 January 2020, https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/periodpoverty-campaign-free-sanitary-schools-amika-georgea9285346.html.

3 Bruner, Raisa. “Meet the Teen Who is Pushing for an End to Period Poverty.” TIME, Time Magazine, 9 January 2019, https://time.com/5498118/amika-george-free-periods/.

4 Smith, Amy. “The State of Period Poverty in the US.” PENN Nursing, UPENN, https://www.nursing.upenn.edu/live/news/1545-the-state-ofperiod-poverty-in-the-us.

5 Gates, Melinda. “Amika George.” evoke, evoke, https://www.evoke.org/contributors/AmikaGeorge.

BETTER AT HOME

BY: MANAHIL BAIG

Tamara looks at the blood going down her legs in shock, not knowing what it is. She quickly stuffs a bunch of toilet paper in her underwear and runs to class as she hears the bell go off. Everyone quickly notices the change in Tamara because she is usually a happy, chirpy little girl. Her best friend, Aiden asks her what happened? She quickly responds “umm, I don’t know but my stomach hurts a lot.” Aiden quickly shoos her to the nurse’s office. The nurse asks, “Good Morning Tamara, what happened?” Tamara just stays quiet. The nurse notices some blood stains on tamara’s thigh which she forgot to clean up. She tells Aiden to get to class and Tamara will be going home. Then the nurse calls Tamara’s mom and tells her that Tamara has gotten her period. Tamara’s mom, Shantell immediately asks her “Could you give Tamara a pad and send her back to class? I’m struggling with my job; I can’t pick her up right now. The nurse immediately refuses and says that “We aren’t given enough supplies for periods. I can’t help Tamara ma’am.” Shantell rushes to the school and picks Tamara up. Tamara’s cramps keep getting worse on the ride home. As soon as they reach home, Tamara asks Shantell “Mom, why am I bleeding? Am I hurt?” Shantell then explains “No love, you are not hurt. It is called a period or a menstrual cycle. Every girl has it. It takes out the bad things in our body. You have to wear a pad since you are just 12.” Tamara goes on and asks “What’s a pad mommy? Will it stop my bleeding?” Shantell says “No it doesn’t stop it. It will help just soak up all your blood.” Shantell then goes out to buy a packed of pads and realizes she does not have enough money for pads. She contacts her landlord and tells her “Mrs. Dylan can I pay the rent slightly later, I need the money for Tamara.” The landlord immediately denies it. Shantell explains in detail now that “Mrs. Dylan please I’m in a terrible situation right now, my 12 year old just got her period. I need to get her menstrual products.” Mrs. Dylan completely annoyed replies “Look Shantell I don’t how you could talk about something so disgusting, this openly with me. I need my rent-on time! I only let you live on my property because I pity you as a single mother.” She then cuts the call with a huff. Shantell knew she had a good intention and only told her so maybe she would understand as a grown woman, Stands bewildered. She goes back home and immediately tells Tamara sadly “Tamara, you won’t be going to school for a few days. I can’t afford pads now, it’s better at home for you right now.”

“Better at home” is a sentence so many girls hear. EVERY MONTH. This is not only the story of Tamara. Millions of girls, all around the world miss out on huge opportunities such as an education! A period is known as something “disgusting” or “shameful”. So many girls have such a hard time talking about it and feel embarrassed about it. It is time we ditch this taboo and start raising awareness! Period Poverty is a THING! It is not going away anytime soon but we can raise awareness, normalize talking about it and make sure people get the right support they need without feeling ashamed about it.

@the.doodle.project

@artsymindful

@the.doodle.project

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@artsymindful

BIRTH CONTROL: JOURNEY TO A UNIVERSAL RIGHT

Contraceptives are a relatively new idea, and have only been legalized since the Supreme Court decision Griswold versus Connecticut on June 7th, 1965. It was only around 50 years ago that married couples earned this right. Deliberation over the course of centuries culminated in this court ruling and to this day, still evokes strong opposition especially from religious groups and certain political parties. The primary dispute stems from their central belief that there should be no interference in acts of a sexual nature because they are meant for the purpose of procreation. Some individuals view contraception as unnatural, anti-life, that it is a form of abortion, interfering with a human’s innate biological processes. In the same manner, the oppositions between access and no access to contraception very closely mirror and reflect many of the same attributes as the debate between pro-life and pro-choice. Specifically, the access of birth control, focusing on the female’s side of the equation, is a deliberated topic, incorporating a multi-generational perspective regarding its usage.

Although birth control is currently permitted at a rate of 95%, it’s use is not fully recognized in many nations of the world. Though it is mainly used in order to prevent pregnancy, this medication also treats many reproductive disorders-such as endometriosis and Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS). Many women use birth control for different reasons other than explicitly specified, but its availability is significant nevertheless.

Speaking as a young woman, I feel it is within my rights to justify to you that it is indeed “my body, my choice”. I was diagnosed with PCOS just last year, at the age of 15, and was in a state of completely bewilderment, in fear of my condition. I did not know what it meant, and the only thing echoing throughout my ears were the doctor’s words “This is a lifetime diagnoses, and as of now is irreversible”. I was terrified at the idea of having to live with this, for how long I did not know. Since then, I’ve tried numerous treatments, from dietary restrictions to oral and topical medications for the excessive acne and hormonal fluctuations, and it’s been a frustrating journey. However, my doctor suggested I take birth control, and she explained to me that many women use it to relieve the tumultuous symptoms of PCOS, allowing them to live easier lives without having to worry about the implications of their condition. I can now say that I am extremely thankful I had that as an option because I no longer suffer from painful cramps that would deprive me of motion, or mood swings that would send me into a flying rage, wracked with immense confusion. However, many women still do not have this choice as their lives are continually subject to governmental intervention, and unfortunately remain powerless.

According to studies conducted by the Center for Disease Control, liberal organization Planned Parenthood claimed “Birth control has played an important role in the advancement of women in the workplace, allowing them to invest in their careers and plan for their futures. In fact,

research shows the pill is responsible for a third of women’s wage increases relative to men. That’s why the Affordable Care Act, which gives women affordable access to birth control with no additional co-pay, is so important. Birth control works; women just have to have access to it.” The use of birth control not only has links to healthcare, but also to improving gender stratification in the workplace. It has a demonstrative impact in improving social issues, driving society towards a more progressive nature. The statistics say it all, however, it is just a matter of advocating for its significance and fighting for the nations where women cannot speak up for themselves.

The United States of America. When many people hear those words, they think: the land of freedom and opportunity, equality and justice. At one point in my life, I thought that too, but my perspective has since changed. Especially in the circumstances of our time now, focusing specifically on a recent Times report “The Supreme Court on Wednesday upheld a Trump administration regulation that lets employers with religious or moral objections limit women’s access to birth control coverage under the Affordable Care Act and could result in as many as 126,000 women losing contraceptive coverage from their employers”. I fail to understand the "American standard” when our president is intentionally denying people rights, revocating, what should be a personal decision. Online magazine Sierra Club remarked “The day seemed near when, finally, every pregnancy would be a wanted one.

Instead, now that Donald Trump is president, science is suspect, and the future of birth control looks more like The Handmaid's Tale than Scientific American. Beyond the many threats to abortion rights in the United States, the simple practice of seeking to prevent pregnancy through medical means is now under attack.” The Republican domination not only has a political stronghold, but also control over the mainstream media. Our president has developed his agenda in such a manner that he seeks to manipulate people in a way that benefits him.

BY: RHEA WANCHOO

The struggle in attaining universal access to birth control, seems at the moment, unforeseeable, however it is crucial that we maintain the sense of urgency in fighting for women’s rights in allowing them to decide for themselves, their lives, and their bodies. Right now, in America, we are trapped in a difficult time. Right now, the age of progression, is tainted by the insurgency of regression. In this issue, it is not only marked by healthcare, it involves social issues, gender bias, and the hierarchical nature of society. There are many factors involved in why, still, so many women are unable to make the decision of birth control for themselves. Let us think about this from a logistical standpoint. For over centuries, women only had a place in the household. For over centuries, women did not have rights to ask for a divorce. For over centuries, in these instances, and many more, women were subordinated to the male race, their needs, wants, rights, choices and decisions, IGNORED. It was only in the 20th century that legislation passed, and that too, only in America, that allowed women to make decisions for their bodies, and there are still many places in the world where this is still not an option. So please, join me in this fight. It might be centuries more to reach a reversal, where ALL women from ALL countries are universally treated and respected as they should be, but nevertheless, it is a battle worth fighting. For you, for me, and for every woman.

I wrote this due to the evolving dynamic of reproductive rights in the 21st century, strongly believing that when you have a personal connection to a topic the passion truly emanates through your writing!

@artsymindful

@the.doodle.project

MENSTRUATION MENSTRUATION HUTS HUTS

A menstruation hut in Nepal. Blood Speaks: A Ritual Of Exile © Poulomi Basu

by: Sophianne Leung

1 Yeung, Jessie. “Girls in Nepal sleep in ‘menstruation huts’ despite ban, studies find.” CNN Health, CNN, 10 December 2019, https://www.cnn.com/2019/12/10/health/nepal-menstruation-hut-study-intl-hnk-scli/index.html.

2 Redfern, Corrina. “My Parents Banished Me To A Hut Every Time I Got My Period.” Refinery29, RAG WEEK, 12 September 2018, https://www.refinery29.com/en-gb/period-hut-nepal.

3 Daley, Beth. “Nepal’s menstrual huts: what can be done about this practice of confining women to cow sheds.” The Conversation, The Conversation, 23 January 2019, https://theconversation.com/nepals-menstrual-huts-what-can-be-done-about-this-practice-of-confiningwomen-to-cow-sheds-109904.

The subject of a women’s menstruation is often clouded with stigma and judgement globally, but in some cultures, it is considered a serious taboo. In places like Nepal, girls on their period are banished to outdoor huts, as people 1 believe that they are “unclean during menstruation” (CNN). While most common in Nepal, this is something that happens globally. The custom, known as “Chhaupadi”, is a centuries old Hindu taboo. Not only does it include sleeping in small, outdoor huts, but it also includes avoiding certain foods and being forbidden from specific everyday activities. The practice was made criminal by Nepal’s government in 2018 after a series of deaths occurred involving the huts, but it still continues in much of Nepal despite its criminalization. @the.doodle.project

@the.doodle.project

A study conducted by the U.K.’s University of Bath and a local non-profit organization called the Center for Research on Environment Health and Population Activities (CREHPA) surveyed 400 teenage girls from Nepal’s Karnali province, where they found that “77% of the girls surveyed practiced Chhaupadi. Class made only a slight difference; although girls from more urban and affluent households were less likely to practice Chhaupadi, 66% of girls in 1 the top fifth wealth bracket still did” (CNN). While girls subjected to this practice have access to soap and water in their outdoor huts to prevent bad hygiene, they face other, more serious threats and dangers. Most of these huts are poorly built, made small and cramped, with no windows and an open space as a door, as well as poor ventilation. Girls inside often fear being attacked or kidnapped by strangers or animals, such as snakes, during the night. This leads to poor mental health and stress and anxiety during their isolated nights in the cramped space. The study had also discovered evidence of girls who didn’t even have a hut to sleep in but instead were forced to sleep outside.

It is extremely hard to put an end to such a long and time-honored cultural tradition, with such loose enforcement, despite its criminalization, which states that anyone who forces a woman into a Chhaupadi hut will be sentenced or fined. “The practice isn't limited to rural areas or girls with low education levels; even school teachers, health workers, and local leaders sleep in the menstruation huts” (CNN). 1 This makes it even more difficult to change, as it is practiced by most women on all levels of the social structure.

However, despite its rigidity, it is possible. Organizations like Radha Paudel are challenging menstrual stigma while more and more news coverage has been given to this tradition. Other non-governmental organizations like Restless Development and PeaceWin, have been finding solutions to fix the problems these huts have created, such as actually going in to convince unwilling parents of the problems of the Chhaupadi. There should be no stigma hovering over this natural process of menstruation, and certainly no banishment.

@the.doodle.project

Gen Z Of The Month

Skye Loventhal

Sarah Shapiro

"We are the co-founders of the Covid NineTEEN Project, a teen-led organization offering free daily activities (ranging from arts to academics to athletics) and one-on-one tutoring for elementary school students world-wide."

Due to the pandemic, young children have had a difficult time acclimating to online learning and living their lives completely from home. Considering we are both daughters of educators, both Sarah and I understand the pressure that these lifestyle changes have put on young children, especially in terms of their education and social life. We knew that we needed to address the difficulties students are having with acclimating to distance learning and make an everlasting impact on their lives during these unprecedented times. Beyond that, it is imperative that they have their social time - even if it is online.

Parents, too, have been tasked with balancing their work, home, and personal lives, all while trying to take care of their children. One of the goals of the program we established is to provide a fun and safe space for children, all while easing some of the stress on parents by providing an entertainment outlet for their kids. The Covid NineTEEN Project is a teen-led initiative we co-founded that provides access to free educational resources for elementary school students, ranging from oneon-one tutoring to academic, athletic, and artistic group activities. We are currently on our back to school schedule, which is held between 1:00 pm and 5:00 pm PST on weekdays, and between 9:00 am and 3:00 pm PST on weekends! Currently, The Covid NineTEEN Project is run by its co-founders, 15 board members, and 250+ trained teen mentors. We have over 800 students registered for programming worldwide. While students are primarily located in the United States, we also have kids attending sessions from South Africa, Argentina, Bangladesh, Canada, and more!

The tutoring program consists of one-on-one sessions where teen mentors assist children with any academic subjects they need help with. Tutoring is offered in 14 different languages for the core school subjects: English, Math, Science, and History.

To find out which languages are offered on which days, you can check the schedule under the “Tutoring” tab on our website, covidnineteenproject.com. We also offer engaging teen-led activities that change on a weekly basis. Some of our most popular sessions include a Tik Tok Dance Class, Journaling, Step-by-Step Drawing, and more! Teen mentors have created incredibly unique activities, such as a Virtual Escape Room and the Epic Lego Challenge. However, it’s not only the volunteers who are so passionate and ecstatic towards the project; the kids enjoy the tutoring and classes immensely and are eager to return each week. The activities not only provide a unique way of keeping children stuck at home engaged, but they also allow teen mentors to pass on their passions to children. Many of our classes closely resemble extracurricular activities that students would normally participate in outside of school prior to the pandemic. However, many of these extracurricular activities typically require money, which puts many families and children at a disadvantage. Our programming is completely free to overcome some of those educational barriers, ensuring all students can access our curriculum and programming.

We want more teens to be able to feel like they can make a difference in their community as well! As two female co-founders and an executive board made up of nearly all girls, we hope to inspire other young girls to take initiative and enact positive social change in their communities. We encourage all female youth activists to feel empowered to create their own organizations and to not feel discouraged from doing so simply because of their age or gender. As a teen-led initiative, The Covid NineTEEN Project truly demonstrates the power that the younger generation holds. By speaking up and enacting positive social change, we can truly impact the lives of others.

The support and response that the project has gotten from our local community further demonstrate its increasing impact.

We receive emails and testimonials on the daily from parents, explaining the difference it has made in the lives of their families. Parents have also been incredible in spreading the message throughout their own communities. It is amazing for us, as a program, to see such community support. This project has truly been a life-changing experience for us, the board members, the students we serve, and all of our volunteers. We will be forever grateful that so many teens have decided to take in joining us on this philanthropic endeavor, and we cannot wait to see this project continue to grow in the future.

WANT TO TO BE BE RECOGNIZED RECOGNIZED WANT FOR YOUR YOUR STRONG STRONG FOR LEADERSHIP AND AND WORK? WORK? LEADERSHIP How can you become Gen Z of the month? Or do you know someone who should be recognized for their work?

We are looking for an individuals who demonstrates strong initiative for better change. If you would like to be featured in our future magazines, please view our Gen Z Community page on our website, where you can access our Nominate a Girl and Nominate Yourself pages. Within these pages lies a form provided for applicants to be properly considered for Gen Z of the month. Apply now!

HOW CAN CAN YOU YOU HELP HELP FIGHT FIGHT HOW AGAINST PERIOD PERIOD POVERTY? POVERTY? AGAINST

donate to...

Period

Helping Women Period

Foodbank NYC

The Pad Project

Dignity Period Days For Girls

The Homeless Period Project

Our September 2020 Team THANK YOU FOR YOUR CONTRIBUTION AND DEDICATION!

LAUREN BYUN

SAVANNAH BUCCELLATO

AYMAN FATIMA

KATELYN HOWARD

HEAD DIRECTOR

MAGAZINE COVER DESIGNER

KELLEY KWOK

SOPHIANNE LEUNG

RHEA WANCHOO

ASMI GUJRAL

MANAHIL BAIG

WRITER

WRITER

WRITER

WRITER

WRITER

BRIANNA SCHULSTAD WRITER

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

EVA EAPEN

CO-DIRECTORS OF WRITING

MARGAUX RIZADA

DEVIKA ROSHAN

PATRICIA MERCADO

PUNEETHA MALLARAPU

EDITOR

EDITOR

EDITOR

EDITOR