Agenda:
9AM Registration, Coffee, Networking, Zine Making with Pleasure Pie
10AM Welcoming Address: Sasha Goodfriend, Mass NOW and Amy Agigian, Our Bodies Ourselves Today
10:15AM Slam Poetry Performance: Zenaida Peterson
10:30AM Keynote Address: Current States and Emerging Priorities of the Menstrual Equity Movement
Dr. Noelle Elizabeth Spencer
11AM - 12:30PM Panel: Periods Without Peril: Ensuring Safety and Equity in Menstrual Health
Dr. Yvonne Gomez-Carrion, Assistant Professor in Obstetrics and Gynecology, Harvard Medical School, Medical Director of the Gyn Gender Clinic at Hartford Hospital
Arion Long, Cheif Estrogen Officer (CEO) of Femly
Louisa Corbett, Menstrual Equity Activist and High School Student in Milton, Massachusetts
Shruthi Mahalingaiah, Assistant professor of environmental, reproductive, and women’s health at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public health.
Mary Ellen Duggan, Nurse Leader/District Wellness Coordinator, Homeless Liaison at the Public Schools of Northborough and Southborough
12:30-1:30PM Lunch, Vendors, Zine Making with Pleasure Pie
1:35-3:30PM Workshops
Menstruation Myth vs Fact with Bria Gadsden and Katherine Blasius of Mass NOW
Organizing Your Community for Menstrual Equity with Daniela Minidis and Prachi Patel from the Menstrual Equity Coalition Student Subcommittee and Nora Bent, Director of Government Affairs and Strategic Partnerships at The Arc
3:30-4PM Networking, Vendors
“Current States and Emerging Priorities of the Menstrual Equity Movement”
Keynote Address: Dr. Noelle Elizabeth Spencer
Slam Poetry Performance:
Zenadia Peterson
Panel: “Periods Without Peril:
Ensuring Safety and Equity in Menstrual Health”
Afternoon Workshops
Menstruation Myth vs. Fact
With Bria Gadsden and Katherine Blasius with Mass NOW
Bria Gadsden
Bria Gadsden is a public health professional with over 10 years of experience working in the nonprofit sector. As a menstrual equity leader, social justice advocate, and endometriosis warrior, Bria is a true community champion who drives social change through innovation, community empowerment, and resource connection for the advancement of girls and women. At Mass NOW, Bria is our all-star grant writer and has led our training program for the last two years.
Katherine Blasius
Katherine Blasius is a first-generation Brazilian American from Lynn, MA, with a strong background in public policy and Portuguese studies. She is passionate about creating meaningful change in underserved communities, focusing on cross-cultural advocacy and equitable policies.
Currently, she’s pursuing a law degree to further her mission of supporting her community and making a lasting impact. She has worked with nonprofits like ITD, and her experience includes advocating for health education and menstrual equity.
In her free time, she enjoys hiking, cooking Brazilian dishes to stay connected to her heritage, and gardening to find a sense of calm and accomplishment. She is fluent in Portuguese and working toward proficiency in Spanish, always seeking to bridge cultural and linguistic gaps in my work.
2. Organizing your Community for Menstrual Equity
With Daniela Minidis, Prachi Patel and Nora Bent
Daniela Minidis
Daniela Teresa Minidis (she/her) is the co-head of the Student Menstrual Equity Subcommittee. Through this work, she encourages students in Massachusetts to champion menstrual equity in their communities. She worked with students this semester to develop a comprehensive menstrual equity resource for Mass NOW.
Prachi Patel
Prachi Patel is the co-head of the Student Menstrual Equity Subcommittee, where she leads efforts in advancing menstrual equity. This past semester, she helped guide the subcommittee in creating a comprehensive menstrual equity resource for Mass NOW to empower students.
Nora Bent
Nora Bent is the Director of Government Affairs and Strategic Partnerships at The Arc of Massachusetts, the state’s leading advocacy organization for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Prior to this role, she served as the Executive Director of the Massachusetts Caucus of Women Legislators. Nora also worked in Representative Christine Barber’s office and served as the Deputy Finance Director of the 2018 ballot question campaign to uphold the state’s transgender nondiscrimination law.
Nora’s work focuses on equity, and she brings a unique skill set of managing relationships and navigating political strategy. Nora graduated from American University with degrees in Political Science, focusing on Gender and Race Politics, and Political Communications. She has certificates in Women, Policy, and Political Leadership from American University and from the University of Vermont’s Women in Leadership Program.
Thank you to our in-kind sponsors!
Mida Restaurant, Unicorn In Every Stall
Thank you to our co-sponsors! Our Bodies Ourselves Suffolk, Mass NOW, NU If/When/How, Ginsburg Intiative Girls Program, NU Menstrual Equity Club, Cycle Sisters, Pleasure Pie. Fihri Foundation, Periodic, Pads on a Roll, Athena Council, PowerUP01945, Jane Doe Inc. (JDI), Unicorn, Femly, Mystic Valley Action for Reproductive Justice, PERIOD, Upper Cape Cod Women's Coalition, BU Repro Justice Center, American Federation of Teachers Massachusetts (AFTMA), Free. Hingham, Girl Scouts of Eastern Massachusetts, United Neighbors of Fall River
Frequently Asked Questions
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Yes! Breakfast and lunch will be provided.
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Suffolk university is located at 110 Tremont St in Boston. When you arrive please stop at the security window and tell them you are there for the Menstrual Equity Summit. From there walk straight through the lobby and you will find our welcome table.
There is discounted weekend parking in nearby garages, and Suffok University is easily accessible by the orange, green, and red T lines.
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Our Bodies Ourselves Suffolk
Mass NOW
Northeastern If/When/How
Ginsburg Intiative Girls Program
Northeastern Menstrual Equity Club
Cycle Sisters
Pleasure Pie
Fihri Foundation
Periodic
Pads on a Roll
Sunny Period
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Whatever you feel most comfortable in! Most attendees will be wearing business causal attire or feminist t-shirts!
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Yes! anyone is welcome to attend, regardless of if you regularly attend menstrual equity coalition meetings.