COSI x Aunt Flow | Aunt Flow

Pads + tampons should be offered for free in every bathroom.

In partnership with Aunt Flow, COSI is helping break period stigmas, one day at a time.

FREE period products are offered in all women's and all-gender bathrooms at COSI.

Please only take what you need so there is plenty to go around!

Join the menstrual movement!

86% of women have started their period in public without the supplies needed.

Period products (i.e. pads and tampons) are a basic, absolute and constant hygiene need—equivalent to toilet paper. Providing Aunt Flow period products saves people from the stress of finding a pad or tampon when a sudden need arises—so they can get back to their day at 100%.

Bottom line? Providing complimentary period supplies is just the right thing to do.

Offering free period products increases school attendance amongst girls by 2.4%.

1 in 3 low-income women have missed work or other outings because of a lack of period supplies.

stay in the flow

tag @goauntflow and @phoenixmercury on social so we can share the love!

Making the world better for people with periods!

Let's Talk About Sustainable Bathroom Products

The 4 Stages of the Menstrual Cycle

Here's Why Charging $0.25 for a Tampon or Pad is Silly

69% of menstruators feel embarrassed when they have to bring period products to the bathroom.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Aunt Flow’s mission?

Our mission is to fight period poverty and stigma! Alongside ensuring that businesses and schools offer free period products for employees and students, our donation program supports activist-led pilot program initiatives and various grassroots nonprofit organizations.

What legislative progress has been made for the menstrual movement?

Over the years, we’ve seen steady progress across the nation as we continue to advocate for increased access to period products. Here are just a few exciting wins:

1. California, Delaware, and Hawaii are some of the states that recently passed laws requiring free menstrual products in public schools.
2. Louisiana, Michigan and Vermont are among states that have repealed the tampon tax.
3. In 2021, Ann Arbor, Michigan passed a law mandating menstrual products in all public restrooms.

To search for legislation in your city or state, check out our Legislation Map.

How can I get involved in the menstrual movement?

Aunt Flow believes in a multifaceted approach to achieving menstrual justice, including service, education, research, advocacy, and investment.

1. Organize menstrual product drives and fundraisers in your community to collect and donate pads and tampons to local shelters and food pantries.
2. Lead educational workshops in your community about menstruation, sustainable menstrual products, and destigmatizing menstruation.
3. Apply pressure to policymakers, decision-makers, and local leaders, advocating for policies that improve access to menstrual products and education.
4. Ask your school to include menstruation and menstrual health as part of the educational curriculum. In fact, 77% of students believe there needs to be more in-depth education about menstrual health.
5. Conduct and support more peer-reviewed research assessing the prevalence and health implications of period poverty. This data is important for supporting more grassroots advocacy efforts.
6. Urge schools and businesses to invest in high-quality menstrual products free of cost for everyone.

I want to learn more about my period! Where should I go?

We highly recommend checking out these period-themed books! With options for people of all ages, you’re sure to find the right fit for you, your family or someone you know!

1. A Girl's Guide to Puberty & Periods by Marni Sommer
2. Period Power by Nadya Okamoto
3. Periods Gone Public by Jennifer Weiss-Wolf
4. The Menopause Manifesto by Dr. Jen Gunter

What other helpful period resources do you have?

We sure do! Here are a few helpful resources:

• Student Advocacy Guide
• How to Use a Tampon and Pad
• Blog post: What does your period blood color say about you

Get more information about advocating for free period products at your school or workplace.

“Here at COSI, we believe that science is for everyone. We want our guests to have the very best experience when they visit, and part of that experience is providing essentials that they may need like pads and tampons. If someone is on the fence about whether or not to have Aunt Flow, I say go for it. There's not any better that you can do by making sure that people have the right to the products they use every day and need.”

- Kristy Williams

Director of Communications, COSI

Share your story, COSI guests.