Issue 22: March 8, 2026

We conduct the majority of our interviews at the downtown library. They have a three cubical style meeting rooms for this specific purpose. For this issue, I had the privilege of speaking with Lysne, the founder of Helping Women Period. While, mostly organized around distributing period supplies to anyone in our community who needs them, HWP also focuses on education. AFAB people deserve to speak opening about their bodies and learn about the best options for them to manage their periods.

A man in the next cubical could be heard sighing loudly. About 20 minutes in he came and knocked on our door to let me know in hushed tones that he could "hear every word we were saying about that lady stuff.” He said this as if we should be embarrassed, as if we should have been discussing this in embarrassed hushed tones.

There’s nothing embarrassing about the products that help a person manage their period, just like there’s nothing embarrassing about needing Plan B, condoms or a pregnancy test. All of these items are essential to ensuring half the world’s population maintain autonomy over their bodies and I’m so proud Lansing has so many organizations working to distribute these supplies for free.