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The advocacy group Women of West St. Paul (WoW) is collecting tampons and donations for their fourth annual pad drive, dubbed the Drive-By Tampon Drive. Since 2018, the group has raised nearly $9,000 and several truckloads of tampons and other period products for people in need.
This year they’re partnering with Neighbors Inc. and ISD 197 to distribute the pads, tampons, and cups, which both organizations report are in high demand.
How to Donate
WoW will be collecting donations at West St. Paul city hall during the May 24 City Council meeting. They’re also organizing COVID-friendly drive-by pickups on June 3 and 13, which can be coordinated via text message.
They’re also accepting donations via Venmo to purchase products directly.
A full 100% of the products and cash will be donated in this all-volunteer operation.
Why Tampons?
It all started in 2018 when West St. Paul’s first female mayor, Jenny Halverson, ran into sexism and misogyny from the City Council. When male council members blocked one of her appointments, Halverson called out the double standard compared to her male predecessor. One of the council members challenged Halverson’s claims and she stood up for herself: “This will not be forgotten, folks.”
That night, in a desperate attempt at harassment, a package of tampons and tissues were left at the home of Halverson and her blocked appointee, Samantha Green.
Halverson’s words became a rallying cry.
At the next meeting, more than 150 people—armed with tampons for the first pad drive—packed the council chambers and for an hour and a half women spoke during citizen comments, sharing their own stories of harassment and sexism. The incident drew national media coverage.
In the aftermath…
- Samantha Green was appointed to the Planning Commission on a 5-0 vote (one member abstained). Today she chairs the Planning Commission.
- Wendy Berry, who announced her campaign at that packed council meeting, became the sixth woman elected to West St. Paul’s City Council.
- Lisa Eng-Sarne, who also spoke at that meeting, was appointed as the seventh woman and later elected in her own right.
- Julie Eastman and Robyn Gulley became the eighth and ninth women to serve on City Council.
- The West St. Paul City Council became majority female for the first time in history.
Get more details about the Drive-By Tampon Drive.
More:
Learn more about women serving in West St. Paul and the first woman to serve on City Council, Devona Weatherhead in 1967.
May 26, 2021 Update: Tampons at City Hall
During a recent City Council meeting, WoW announced their effort and collected products at city hall.
June 24, 2021 Update: Fill a Trunk Event
Women of West St. Paul are hosting a final Fill a Trunk event to close out their period product supply drive.
Local coverage only happens thanks to your support.
