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Ranney Middle School Students Successfully Advocate for Additional Period Products

Four Middle School students at Ranney School noticed a problem, made their case in writing, and changed their school. As of October 14, individual boxes of pads and tampons are stocked in every stall of the Middle School girls' restroom. The change came from GLOW (Girls Leadership Outreach to the World), a club launched this school year.

GLOW's initiative builds on earlier efforts by Ranney students Keira Mooar '26 and Aislinn Mooar '30, whose advocacy, together with their family's generous support, helped make free menstrual products available in containers in girls' bathrooms throughout campus. By bringing products directly into individual stalls, GLOW has taken the next step in making these essential items more accessible, convenient, and discreet for students.  

GLOW is led by Ms. Rose, 8th grade mathematics teacher, and includes founding members: 8th grader, Danica G.,  7th graders Kaya K. and June S., and 6th grader Sienna S.

The club's mission is to build leadership skills and put them into action through service. "Girls helping girls is what GLOW is all about," said Danica.

In a letter to Middle School Head Ms. Mendez, they advocated for more than one box per girls' restroom. "Before you go into the stall, you may not know that you need one of these period products," the students wrote. "Once you are in the stall, it is difficult for you to leave it." They compared it to having to leave the stall to find toilet paper, and asked that products be available in each stall. Ms. Mendez approved the request.

On October 12, the students presented to the Middle School Town Hall on menstrual equity. They cited a 2025 national survey of U.S. teens by The Harris Poll for PERIOD, which found that 33 percent of teens have missed at least 15 minutes of class because they lacked a pad or tampon, and 39 percent have felt unable to do their best schoolwork because of limited access. The same survey found that 86 percent of teens agree public schools should provide free period products.

The presenters also asked classmates to help make periods less awkward. If a girl has bled through her clothes, they said, tell her, just as you would mention a stain on a shirt or something in her teeth. Students who aren't comfortable can ask someone else to speak up, and they asked their peers not to joke about periods.

"We wanted every girl to be able to get what she needs without having to ask or feel embarrassed," said June. "Having products right in the stall makes that possible, and the more we talk about periods, the less awkward it gets."

"Don't make it weird. It happens to every girl," said Kaya. "The menstrual cycle is normal," said Sienna. "The more we talk about it, the more normal it feels."

The students are asking classmates to speak up if the boxes ever run low. "We want to make sure that girls feel at ease in school when they are going through their period," Sienna said.

"GLOW was started to give girls an opportunity to lead and use their voices for the greater good of the community.  It’s outstanding that in less than 6 weeks they've already made a positive impact," said Ms. Rose.

During the month of October, GLOW will be supporting research and patient advocacy in honor of Breast Cancer Awareness.
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Ranney School

235 Hope Road
Tinton Falls, NJ 07724
Tel. 732.542.4777
Our mission is to know and value every child, nurturing intellectual curiosity and confidence, and inspiring students to lead honorably, think creatively, and contribute meaningfully to society. 

We envision Ranney School as a nurturing learning community, in which families, faculty, alumni, and all of Ranney’s constituents collaborate to know and value every child, foster individual talents, sustain powerful connections between children and adults, and graduate resilient, globally-minded citizens.