Most people have had an uncomfortable conversation or two about periods due to the topic's stigma in today’s world, despite how common and normal having a menstrual cycle is. As a person in high school, I have felt shame from my peers after dropping a pad on the floor on my way to the bathroom, which I think no one should have to go through. While we find other sanitary necessities to be free to those who need them, period products are overlooked as a thing that more than half the global population needs due to their controversy. Periods have been considered taboo in most countries for far too long, which is why we should celebrate new happenings in the world of better access to free period products.

Dec. 18, 2020

We hear this term a lot, but it’s not always clear what it means. Is it bubble baths? Face masks? Meditating? To be honest, it can be all of those things and more! Self-care is any activity that we do deliberately in order to take care of our physical, emotional, social, and spiritual health. With all of the stress of the election, it’s important to reflect on what it is that makes you feel comfortable and happy-and then to actually do those things. We all have busy schedules, but we can spare a few minutes for ourselves every now and then.

Dec. 3, 2020

Volunteering at Planned Parenthood has helped me find accepting communities that I want to be around, and who want me around. In the short time I’ve been volunteering there, I’ve made so many good friends who’ve helped me with a lot of issues that I have with accepting myself. They’re like part of a new family for me – one that will love and accept me for who I am, no matter what that means.

Nov. 20, 2019

October is Let’s Talk Month, which is all about the importance of parents talking to their kids about sex, sexuality, gender, and relationships. Open, honest communication helps young people be safer and more informed, and have less shame around sex. To highlight the different ways kids and teens learn about sex, I talked to PPMEAF’s youth group, who are volunteers between the ages of 13-21. The teens interviewed in this piece are all around 15 years old and have used aliases for their own privacy.

Oct. 28, 2019

We are living in such a critical moment in this country’s political history and leading the fight for reproductive rights has been an extraordinary opportunity.

Sept. 12, 2019

I had already completed my degree, experienced the 9-5 office life, and viewed the “real world” through a different lens than a college student might. However, the staff at the Planned Parenthood Maine Action Fund recognized that this internship would be a valuable learning experience for a post-grad gal trying to renavigate her career path, and they welcomed me with open arms.

Aug. 21, 2019

It wasn’t until my freshman year of college that my views took a slight turn. It was the spring semester and a couple weeks before finals. I was on birth control, but I had missed my period. I tried to stay calm and convince myself I had just missed it because I was stressed about finals, but I was getting more nervous that I might be pregnant. That’s when abortion crossed my mind.

Aug. 8, 2019

Let’s be clear — the People’s Veto is an attempt to take away safe, legal abortion and does nothing to help Mainers get the care they need. We’ll be working hard over the coming months to protect safe, legal abortion in Maine. Want to help? Here are five things you can do right now.

July 19, 2019

I felt self conscious in my outfit and of looking too visible. And then my partner and I reached the Planned Parenthood lineup of pink and my fears melted away. The group was so full of love and excitement, I couldn’t help but feel swept up by it.

June 24, 2019