The Cycle Alliance Is a Gender-Inclusive Period Advocacy Group 

The Cycle Alliance is a hybrid teen volunteer program that combines virtual workshops, independent work, and in-person service to destigmatize and de-gender conversations about menstruation; combat period poverty; and empower teens to advocate for social causes. Volunteers will accomplish their goals of education, advocacy, and community engagement by attending virtual workshops scheduled throughout the year. Teens will learn how to identify and contact their local political leaders; how to access trustworthy information to combat period shaming; and bystander training. Finally, teens will be able to express their creativity through writing, drawing, or developing pieces for the library’s teen blog and social media.

As an Ally: 
  • Earn volunteer hours or community service credits 
  • Help people in need in your neighborhood and throughout Brooklyn 
  • Gain accurate information to fight the myths surrounding menstruation 
  • Meet new people and make new friends 
  • Find out who your local politicians are and how to contact them 
Cycle Alliance Values: 
  • Menstrual equity for all who menstruate, which includes cis women, trans men and gender non-binary people. 
  • Periods are a natural and biological event and are not shameful. #NoPeriodShaming  
  • Every menstruator should have access to free or low cost menstrual hygiene products.  
  • Continued funding for free menstrual products in New York prisons, homeless shelters, public middle and high schools.   
  • A mandatory, accurate, and up-to-date sex ed curriculum in schools that destigmatizes menstruation.  
  • The continued repeal of the “tampon tax” in New York.  
  • Avoiding superstitious, hurtful, sexist, anti-woman, homophobic and transphobic language when talking about periods.   
  • To teach, not cancel people who “just don’t get it" by using facts. 
Resources:
Educate 
Advocate

"The Launch Pad: Your go-to for Resources for Menstrual Equity Activism." Source: Period, the Menstrual Movement

"Guidance for Providing Respectful Menstruation Related Care To TGNB Patient Populations." Source: Columbia University, Mailman School of Public Health

"The Menstrual Movement." Source: YouTube, Tedx Talks

The Pad Project,  The Pad Project’s mission is to create and cultivate local and global partnerships to end period stigma and to empower women worldwide 

League of Women Voters of the City of New York. Who Represents Me

BKLYN Incubator is supported by generous funding provided by The Charles H. Revson Foundation and Robin K. and Jay L. Lewis.

Upcoming Events

Check back soon for upcoming events.

Past Events

Pink Moon Celebration: Period Products Donation Drive for Teens in Need

Wed, Apr 5   10:30 am to 3:30 pm   Central Library, Youth Wing

Making Healthy Sexual Decisions: A Workshop for Teen Girls

Thu, Dec 1   4:00 pm to 5:00 pm   Central Library, Second Floor Computer Lab

Join BPL's Cycle Alliance's Fight to End Period Poverty

Wed, Nov 23   4:00 pm to 6:00 pm   Central Library, Youth Wing


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 Become a Cycle Alliance Volunteer

To apply: Fill out a Volunteer Application to participate. Indicate on the application that you want to be a member of the Cycle Alliance.

Apply

 

Cycle Alliance Period Pantry Is Now Open

Teens and adults in need of maxi pads, tampons, incontinence protection, and condoms are able to get supplies at the Central Library's Youth Wing as supplies last. The Period Pantry is stocked using in-kind donations of boxes of tampons, pads, and menstrual cups. Amazon Wishlist: https://amzn.to/3Raw9nA

 

Menstrual Hygiene Day 

Menstrual Hygiene Day is on May 28 and is an international advocacy day. Menstrual Hygiene Day (MH Day) is a global advocacy campaign “that brings together the voices and actions of non-profits, government agencies, individuals, the private sector and the media to promote good menstrual hygiene management (MHM) for all women and girls.”

National No Apologies Period Day

No Apologies Period Day is on June 9 and was inspired by Midol's initative to drive awareness to the amount of times women and menstruators apologize for the symptoms of their periods. #noapologiesperiod

Period Action Day (PAD)

Period Action Day is on October 14, 2023 and it is a nationwide rally to demand the end to period poverty and period stigma. #periodactionday

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