champion for change – Soroptimist International Western Canada Region

This is the second post about Soroptimist Western Canada Region’s upcoming virtual forum – Period Poverty and Public Policy – What Next?. – the fourth event in our Gender Equality Now series.

If you haven’t already checked out the first blog post, you can do so here.

Our region boasts a second FABULOUS change champion in the fight for menstrual equity. Let’s meet panelist, Sherri Smith.

Sherri Smith has been a Soroptimist since 1995 and a United Way volunteer since 1988. She is the current president of Soroptimist International (SI) of Central Alberta. Professionally, she is a Chartered Professional Accountant working in finance in the town of Innisfail.

At the beginning of 2021, SI Central Alberta received a grant from the Red Deer District Community Foundation and the Fund for Gender Equality.

The club partnered with the United Way of Central Alberta to create the Period Promise pilot project. Four schools in the Red Deer Public School District were outfitted with dispensers in EVERY washroom and stocked with free menstrual products for a 15-month pilot. Survey data is being gathered for future advocacy work.

Now a passionate menstrual equity and gender equality advocate, Sherri loves to learn and connect with other menstrual equity organizations across the country and the world. She also continues to educate others about period poverty and advocate for free access to menstrual products in all public spaces, including all schools.

1. What was the biggest obstacle you faced in getting free menstrual products in Central Alberta schools?

COVID 19!!!!!! We had tremendous help from United Way BC in setting up everything for the pilot, the resources, the contacts, the surveys, support, etc. We were very fortunate to receive the funding so that this pilot could proceed. Funding could be an obstacle for others who want to also do this pilot. We had cooperation from the school board and the support from the 4 schools to begin the pilot. This was still all happening during COVID in 2021.

When the dispensers and products arrived and were ready to be picked up by school staff to have them installed there was school shutdowns and going to online learning. Finally, they were installed with only 2 months remaining in the school year. The following school year still has the pilot operational until the end of the school year, but every lockdown causes students to not have access to products they may need.

2. What in your opinion was the deciding factor in getting it passed?

Don’t know how to answer this one, as we couldn’t prevent COVID from happening and just had to have patience that the students would eventually be helped.

3. What can private citizens and volunteer organizations like Soroptimist do to encourage policymakers to adopt similar resolutions across the country?

Talk about period poverty as much as you can, where you can. At meetings, groups, with councillors, school boards, etc. Participate and support donation drives and organizations helping to end period poverty. Walk the talk. And also hold people accountable, such as politicians. When you read that a period poverty initiative is happening, follow up later to make sure they are doing it. Keep checking back that they are actually doing what they said they would.

4. Do you have any other advice for menstrual equity advocates who are trying to make a difference in their communities?

I would recommend educating yourself and finding ways to collaborate. Education, such as reading, scouring the internet, social media pages, etc. Attend webinars and forums put on by other organizations. With more knowledge you are able to speak to the issue with those who don’t know. Collaborate with other advocates in your town or city – more voices = more power. Find out first what is needed in your community, don’t assume you know what is needed. It is best to check with organizations, etc. who deal with period poverty every day.

Thanks so much Sherri! We are really looking forward to hearing you and the other panelists at Period Poverty and Public Policy – What Next? on February 5th from 1 to 4 PM PST.

Soroptimist International Western Canada Region is getting ready to host our fourth Gender Equality Now forum (GEN 4) on Saturday February 5th, 2022 from 1 to 4 pm PST. The theme of GEN 4 is Period Poverty and Public Policy – What Next? At this virtual forum we will be screening the film Pandora’s Box (courtesy of Diva International), with a Q&A featuring executive producer of the film and CEO of Diva International, Carinne Chambers-Saini. In addition, we will be hosting a panel discussion featuring some of the top change champions in the fight for menstrual equity, and running breakout sessions for discussion. It’s a jam-packed event that anyone interested in menstrual equity should attend.

Tickets for this virtual event are available through Eventbrite

What is Period Poverty?

Period poverty refers to a lack of access to menstrual products, sanitation facilities and adequate education about reproductive health and menstruation. People who experience period poverty are unable to purchase menstrual products, preventing them from going to school, work, or participating in daily life. When menstrual products and information are unaffordable or unavailable, barriers to education, civic engagement and therefore gender equity are created. Period poverty is a significant issue for an estimated 500 million people worldwide, and it occurs everywhere. In fact, period poverty exists here in Canada and Soroptimists are part of a growing movement to address it.

Meet Menstrual Equity Change Champion Nancy McCurrach

Nancy has been a Soroptimist since 2014 and a Port Coquitlam City Councillor since 2018.

This past December, Nancy was named as the 2021 United Way Labour Appreciation Award recipient for her work with gender equity; specifically, being the driving force on Port Coquitlam City Council behind providing free menstrual products in civic facilities. She has been an inspiring advocate for policy change and reducing the stigma around menstrual products.

1. What was the biggest obstacle you faced in getting your resolution passed by Port Coquitlam City Council?

There were several obstacles that stood in the way for approving free menstrual products in civic facilities. One objection that I heard was that taxpayers would be responsible for the extra cost for menstrual products in facilities (just like toilet paper, soap, paper towel etc. that are already provided). In my situation I found that it was a couple of the men on council that wanted to sway the minds of other council members during the lively debate by saying they were all for menstrual equity, yet they believed proper process wasn’t followed, and that as a city we needed to not burden the taxpayers with downloading this expense onto them. During another Council meeting, one of the male Councillors had concerns about people taking more than one product. (?) It felt like two vocal males were trying to influence others by making it more about process than gender equity.

2. What in your opinion was the deciding factor in getting it passed?

It was thanks to Port Coquitlam Mayor Brad West, his progressive values, and our strong working relationship, that the motion got passed. During the discussion on process, he said that when a council member is as passionate about an issue such as I was about this one that he supports the council member. The mayor’s encouraging words swayed the holdouts and the motion passed – with the vote being five in favour two opposed. This motion was the one to be brought forth to the UBCM (Union of British Columbia Municipalities) convention. The aim was to put the associated cost out of the municipal purse into the provincial budget. I encourage everyone to consider sharing this motion Dr Selina Tribe created that I brought forth to the Province of BC with other Provinces to adopt (that have not something similar in place) in their respective provinces.

3. What can private citizens and volunteer organizations like Soroptimist do to encourage policymakers to adopt similar resolutions across the country?

I would encourage Soroptimist clubs and other volunteer organizations across Canada to unite and know that they don’t need to recreate the wheel, as one is already in motion.

There is a big way you can help:

Two significant resolutions that I created along with Dr. Selina Tribe: 1) Addressing Period Poverty in Canada, and 2) Updating Restroom Regulations have recently been adopted by the Federation of Canadian Municipalities as of September 2021, and both are significant steps. More needs to be done to have them enacted. The Honourable Marci Ien PC MP (Minister for Women and Gender Equity in the House of Commons) – has asked in her letter that is now with the House of Commons in Ottawa for action on both and a clear national approach rather than a patchwork solution.

Please consider reaching out to provincial gender equity Ministers and the Federal gender equity Minister and write letters of support for the Period Poverty Plan and changing the Building and Updating Restrooms the Soroptimists Canada can consider to also endorse and resubmit to the Minister of Women and Gender Equity.

Other actions you can take are:

o Consider joining on to already adopted motions like those from Port Coquitlam city council.

o Advocating at City Council meetings and attending as delegations to request cities implement free menstrual dispensers and products in their civic washrooms: At least 50% of the population that votes are women or other people who menstruate.

o Advocate for a period poverty plan as well as a changing the building and Health and Safety Codes both Provincially and Federally.

o Reach out to City Councils and call each councillor before a vote to advocate for free products in civic facilities.

o Reach out to other organizations to amplify the message (e.g., Girl Guides Canada).

4. Do you have any other advice for menstrual equity advocates who are trying to make a difference in their communities?

Host Period Product Drives at work or within the community to take away the sigma of periods: Reach out to other organizations and unite with an asset management lead (such as the United Way of the Lower Mainland – as they already have tons of data on record).

https://www.periodpromise.ca/

Host letter writing campaigns and send requests to support both resolutions on 1) Addressing Period Poverty in Canada, and 2) Updating Restroom Regulations to.

Ministry of Labour (who administer the provincial OHS regulations)
Minster of Gender Equity (who administer the Provincial regulations
Federal Ministry of Labor (who administer the federal OHS regulations)
The Federal Minister for Women and Gender Equity (currently the

Honourable Marci Ien (PC MP )

AND the

National Research Council (who administer and revise the Canada Building Code). This letter should reference code change request “CCR 1441” can be cc’d to Brigitte Potvin, Technical Advisor, Codes Canada, National Research Council Canada / Government of Canada. Email is codes@nrc-cnrc.gc.ca

Thanks Nancy! We can’t wait to hear more insights from you and our other change champions on February 5th at Period Poverty and Public Policy – What Next?

Stay tuned for our next blog post featuring Soroptimist and menstrual equity change champion Sherry Smith!