Copperas Cove woman helps fill need for girls’ hygiene products

By LYNETTE SOWELL 

Cove Leader-Press 

Shannon Burton of Copperas Cove listened to a podcast several years ago that caused her to start an initiative to help fill a need for girls in the community and fight something called “period poverty.”

Burton said she was listening to a podcast about the history of menstruation and how society treated it in the past and how it’s treated now. 

“The podcast brought up the fact that even in the time that we’re in now, period poverty is a very real thing for many girls, even in our own communities. It really opened my eyes to the fact that there’s a need out there that needs to be filled.”

She said that it’s still very taboo to talk about periods. 

“People still get super uncomfortable, but it’s normal, menstruation is such a normal thing to happen, but it’s still a taboo to talk about.” 

And, in some lower income homes, it can be too expensive for some families to purchase those necessary hygiene items that girls need every month. Statistics have shown that some girls may even miss school due to lack of supplies.  

“This had me take a step forward and look at our own community to see, hey, there’s girls in our community who may need help.”

Burton began working on her initiative, which she calls “Totes About Your Period.” 

In 2022, Burton began working with Communities In Schools at Copperas Cove High School and Crossroads High campuses to ensure that girls would have hygiene supplies available if they needed them. 

“I work with Ms. Vines at the high school,” she said. “I collect any size tampons, any size pads, makeup bags or Ipsy bags because they are good for discreet carrying.,” she added. “I also collect wipes, and that’s one thing people don’t think about. Last year, we had a few students who were homeless, or they did not have access to running water. You can imagine being a girl on your period if you don’t have any running water.”

Burton said she is also collecting another brand called “Pinkies”, made for elementary school age girls. 

Along with the high school campuses, Burton expanded her distribution to S.C. Lee and Copperas Cove Junior High also. She also wants to expand to the district’s elementary schools. 

On Saturday, Aug. 3, she will have a booth at the Community Farmers Market in downtown Copperas Cove, where she be collecting items. The market is located at the corner of East Avenue E and South 2nd St. and runs from 9 a.m. until 1 p.m.

She is collecting: 

Tampons

Maxi pads and liners

Hygiene wipes 

Makeup bags

She tries to deliver regularly to the campuses she serves. Her goal is that none of the campuses run out of supplies. 

She also welcomes local businesses that would partner with her to be a collection site. 

Burton can be reached at 254-383-5604. She also runs a Facebook group called Totes About Your Period at https://www.facebook.com/groups/752975626149022.