Adelphi University Quill Awards 2022 — 1st Place for Best Feature Article
BY MADISON KANE and WILLA LEFKOWICZ
Social studies wing, empty. Guidance Office, empty. Nearby the English hallway, empty. Both All-gender restrooms, no dispensers. Locker room, no dispenser. After recently investigating each girls and all-gender bathroom in the high school for one week, only 4 out of 7 restrooms had menstruation hygiene product dispensers installed, and only 1 of those dispensers was filled.
Empty dispensers are in violation of a 2018 bill passed in New York, which “requires that all female-designated bathrooms in the state of New York produce feminine hygiene products at no cost.”
In order to determine Jericho High School’s adherence to this law, we checked the dispensers in each bathroom every school day from September 12th and October 17th, as well as periodic check-ins between those weeks. We concluded that no change had been made during this time period.
Prior to this JerEcho investigation, menstrual product dispensers were regularly found to be empty in all but one of Jericho High Schools’ girls bathrooms
A number of problems arise for students when feminine product dispensers in bathrooms are empty. Tampons and pads are an expense that not everyone can afford. According to “The Washington Post,” a box of tampons typically costs between $5 and $8, depending on the item count.
Another problem is when a student experiences an immediate need for these products. Sophomore Samara B. said, “I think that it’s pointless to have dispensers because what’s the point of having them if there are no tampons? What if I have an emergency?”
Embarrassment is a major concern for students. Student Council Co-president and senior Ruby S. said, “If the dispensers are always empty, then I’m not able to get the products that I need, and I end up bleeding through which is embarrassing for everyone, not only myself but anyone that sees me.”
When this issue was brought to the attention of Assistant Principal Dr. Finlay, she was astounded that the feminine product dispensers were empty in nearly every bathroom, and was disappointed to learn that there wasn’t a dispenser installed in the all-gender bathrooms. She said, “In the Jericho spirit of always going above and beyond, we have to provide the products.”
Dr. Finlay feels strongly about the need for dispensers in all-gender bathrooms. She said, “Some people who don’t identify as female may still get periods, and they may not feel comfortable going into a women’s bathroom. Therefore this makes the option available to all.”
Following communication between Head Custodian Mr. Sean Reid and Dr. Finlay, a feminine product dispenser was finally installed in the all-gender bathroom, and at the time of this report’s publication all product dispensers were filled.
The sentiments of sophomore Ava K. speak volumes for many people who have periods. “I’m very happy that the feminine product dispensers are full because now I feel more secure when I go to the bathroom. If I don’t have anything on me, there’s products in the bathroom,” she said.
Unfortunately, destruction of dispensers has become an issue. When dispensers were filled with the proper products, some people mishandled them.
Soon after dispensers were filled, vandals destroyed the supply in the social studies hallway bathroom.
“I think if girls might need a tampon, they would grab it and keep it in their bag for future use. I don’t think girls are going to mess around with tampons because they know we don’t care to joke around,” said Dr. Finlay.
However, this was proven untrue. Contrary to what Dr. Finlay assumed, some students who use the girls bathrooms vandalized the social studies hallway bathroom with the dispensers.
Sophomore Harly F. expressed her feelings of how the products are being mistreated. “I think it’s disappointing that students are doing this because it gives a bad look for not only the students doing it, but all the females in our school, and it is a waste of important resources students may need,” she said.