By: Emma Gonzalez
Contributor
DIY bracelets, chats about experiences surrounding periods and learning about menstruation. The “Flow Forward Talk Series” became a welcoming space for students to open up to each other.
The “Flow Forward Talk Series” is a university chapter of the national organization Period, which according to their official page, aims to advocate for accessible and affordable menstrual products.
“It is about building a community,” tourism, hospitality and event management major Saveena Kunchala, a senior and president of Period, said. “I really want to make it an environment where people can feel comfortable getting into advocacy.”
The talk series, which took place on Sept. 16 from 12-1 p.m., began with a chat between students about their first experience learning about the menstrual cycle, some students having positive experiences, some negative.
“I like hearing other people and their feelings about it , and what they go through on theirs,” psychology major Kayla Nguyen, a sophomore, said.
After each student had shared, Kunchala began to teach students about the menstrual cycle — why it happens, how it happens and common myths surrounding it.
“I want people to talk about different stigmas or different interactions they’ve observed and just combatting that,” Kunchala said.
Students shared some misconceptions about the menstrual cycle that they previously believed, or that they have overheard from other people. One common misconception being that period blood is dirty.
“I was just curious about what you could talk about in a club about periods, I like talking about it, I don’t feel weird about it at all,” Nguyen said.
The event was more than just a meeting; it was an outlet for attendees like psychology major Kya Hunter, a senior, who felt as if talking about things like periods should be less taboo.
“I think it’s important to normalize something that’s already normal for most of us,” Hunter said.
Hunter also liked the idea of having that extra support system on campus, and that more people should know about it.
“I thought that it was a really good cause. The awareness and support are needed on campus,” Hunter said.
Kunchala also spoke about the mission for the university’s Period chapter,
“Period at SCSU is a volunteer chapter with the national period movement organization. Our mission is to end period poverty and stigma through service, advocacy and education,” Kunchala said.
In fact, the presence of free menstrual products on campus is due to the Period chapter.
“There was a lot going on politically when I came to school, and certain people that I’ve met at my time here have helped me get into advocacy more,” Kunchala said.
Now, Kunchala wants to be the one advocating for others and helping students become more confident with that as well.
“Sometimes, you need someone like that,” Kunchala said.
One thing that Kunchala stressed throughout the whole talk series was that every experience, no matter how different, is valid and normal.
“Why shouldn’t we teach people about what’s going on with our bodies?” Kunchala said.
