The great tampon debate rages on between politicians all over the world. Is a “tampon tax” fair to women? Canada got rid of the federal tax on pads and tampons last summer; Utah decided the tax should stay just months ago; Chicago city counsel just decided a couple weeks ago to remove their taxes on shark week related products. And now New York City is getting on board. A new bill would supply 25 schools with free tampons and pads as well as homeless shelters and city jails. Chirlane McCray, writer, poet, speechwriter and wife of NYC mayor Bill de Blasio, is quite excited over this bill. In fact, so excited she penned a wonderful poem titled “Tampons for All” and shared it on Twitter.
Tampons for All
By Chirlane McCrary
Consider the tampon:
So essential, so taboo.
For decades we’ve been silent
Because they make some men go “Ew!”
But finally we are talking:
We say is “Enough is enough.”
Menstruation is part of life,
If you can’t handle it, then tough.
Our latest big win
And this really is cool-
Is bringing free tampons
To twenty-five schools.
It started with Council Member
Julissa Ferreras-Copeland.
She saw we needed more supply
To match all the demand.
This is one small step for NYC
And one giant leap for womankind.
When it comes to menstruation
We all deserve peace of mind.
