Breaking the Silence: How One Teen is Making Period Products More Accessible
# **A 14-Year-Old's Mission to Break Period Stigma and Help the Unhoused**
Miri Ahuja, a 14-year-old from San Jose, didn’t let typical teenage worries define her. Instead of fretting over homework or weekend plans, she took on a challenge most adults avoid: ensuring people in her community had access to essential period products.
Through **Period Positive Drive**, her initiative, she organized a donation effort that collected **4,278 menstrual products** for **HomeFirst**, an organization supporting unhoused individuals in Santa Clara County. But Miri’s approach was meticulous—she curated a diverse range of items, from **regular pads and overnight options to organic brands**, ensuring every need was met.
## **Beyond Donations: Sparking Conversations on Menstrual Health**
Miri’s impact stretched beyond gathering supplies. She aimed to **destigmatize periods**—a topic often excluded from public discourse—and emphasized that menstrual health isn’t just a *"women’s issue."* It affects everyone, whether directly or indirectly.
By involving people of all genders in the conversation, she hopes to foster awareness and reduce shame around menstruation. "Periods shouldn’t be a taboo," she asserts, "and everyone should have access to what they need."
A Lifeline for the Unhoused
HomeFirst, which rarely receives large donations of menstrual products, serves hundreds of unhoused individuals—many of whom struggle to afford basic hygiene essentials. Miri’s drive delivered:
- 2,622 pads
- 1,240 liners
- Specialized items (overnight pads, hygiene wipes, and more)
This variety ensured recipients could manage their periods with dignity and comfort, a luxury too often overlooked in shelters.
A Call to Action
Miri’s work proves that age isn’t a barrier to change. By addressing a critical yet ignored need, she’s not just providing supplies—she’s challenging societal norms and inspiring others to take action.
"If a 14-year-old can make a difference," she says, "imagine what we can achieve together."
