#FREEDOMTOBLEED

What do we mean by #FREEDOMTOBLEED? It is a term that may invoke misplaced feelings of disgust, or visions of bleeding without the use of any menstrual products. Those visions are a reality that two-thirds of women living in poverty have to face, forcing them to use things like toilet paper, newspaper, or rags to deal with their monthly flow.

The term "Freedom to Bleed" is a term and a movement started by Flow Forward NJ to bring awareness to the fact that not everyone has the freedom to bleed with dignity and without stress. Menstruation has been regarded as a taboo for far too long, making periods more stressful and silencing those struggling with period poverty, or the inadequate access to menstrual products and menstruation education.

It is time for all menstruators to be granted the freedom to bleed - and at no cost. If businesses can provide free toilet paper and paper towels, they can provide free pads and tampons.

From “Project Period” to Flow Forward NJ

Flow Forward NJ was started as Project Period in January of 2022 by Sarah McClure and Logan Johnson at Rowan University. The two came together after noticing the lack of menstrual products on campus. They gathered a group of dedicated volunteers and worked with companies across the world to source donations of disposable and reusable products.

Recognizing the need for more than just college solutions, the two decided to develop the organization post-graduation into a non-profit called Flow Forward NJ. Today, Flow Forward NJ is dedicated to bringing menstrual equity to New Jersey.