YaleBleeds

Our Mission:

YaleBleeds's mission is to destigmatize menstruation and work towards menstrual equity at Yale, in New Haven, in Connecticut, in the United States, and beyond. This includes advocacy, education, and service/volunteering work. Advocacy work includes working to increase access to free menstrual products - both disposable and reusable - on campus or wider legislative work in communities outside Yale (such as New Haven Public Schools, Connecticut, and more). Education includes hosting workshops on period poverty and menstrual equity, sustainable menstrual products, the intersection of LGBTQ+ experiences with menstruation, reproductive rights, menstruation-related disorders, and more. Service/volunteering work includes hosting menstrual product donation drives and packing parties, working with Dwight Hall and other campus groups to serve local communities and those in need, and more.

Our Activities:

Period Packing Parties Direct Service We will host packing parties to pack menstrual products into bags covering one menstrual cycle and then donate them to shelters needing menstrual products. We hope to collaborate with different organizations, including the Neighborhood Health Project, UHOPE, and New Haven Public Schools. Teach for Splash at Yale Direct Service YaleBleeds members will teach a class for the Splash at Yale program. Middle and high schoolers come to campus to take a class students teach. YaleBleeds will teach about menstruation and menstrual equity in general, as well as the history of menstrual stigma and reproductive longevity, in three different classes. Period Planner Book Binding Event Advocacy or Activism YaleBleeds will be making period planners with art and craft supplies in collaboration with the Yale Bookbinding Guild. These period planners are meant to be a replacement for period tracking apps, turning back to cute planners to track menstrual cycles. Menstrual Hygiene and Reproductive Health Workshops Advocacy or Activism Educational workshops for the Yale community with Dr. Claudia Valeggia. Focused on menstrual hygiene and reproductive health that is not well-known, even to menstruators. Our goal is to increase knowledge about our own bodies in order to advocate for and understand ourselves, an integral part of YaleBleeds' mission. Reproductive Health Painting Night Advocacy or Activism Join YaleBleeds for a reproductive health focused painting event, focused on community building, conversation, and creative expression! Sustainable Menstrual Product Workshop Advocacy or Activism Join YaleBleeds to learn more about different ways to care for your period and the environment! We'll discuss menstrual cups, discs, period underwear, reusable pads, and more. All participants will receive a free menstrual cup following the educational session. Reusable Pad Making Workshop Advocacy or Activism YaleBleeds will be leading a workshop teaching participants how to make a reusable menstrual pad. It will be a learning experience for all and we will also be discussing the use of sustainable menstrual products in our lives.

Student Leaders:

Itxel Sanchez Baez - Co-Coordinator/Co-President Maddy Corson - Co-Coordinator/Co-President

How others get involved:

Volunteers interested in YaleBleeds can attend a weekly YaleBleeds meeting every Sunday at 3 pm in LC 103, or in the Jonathan Edwards College courtyard (weather permitting). All are welcome! Those interested in getting involved with YaleBleeds, either as a volunteer or a community partner, can email yalebleeds@gmail.com. Please also copy co-presidents Itxel Sanchez Baez (itxel.sanchezbaez@yale.edu) and Maddy Corson (maddy.corson@yale.edu) on your message.