The Mensi Project

01/09/2026

Is your spring sched feeling a bit too basic?
Shift your edu-vibe & sign up for WMST 200 - Issues in Feminism!

In this course, we will explore the concept of feminism, feminist theory, and the women’s movement in the US. We will analyze political and social themes relating to gender in/equality, intersectionality, the impact patriarchal systems (i.e. expected gender roles, control of reproductive rights, etc.) has had on the lives of all people (regardless of s*x, gender, or s*xual orientation), and the future of the feminist movement.

Mondays and Wednesdays 10a-10:50a Peck Hall 3404
Seats still available! Sign up TODAY!
https://www.siue.edu/artsandsciences/womens-studies/

07/02/2025

It is always so exciting to see our project represented off campus! We have inspired many local places to keep menstrual products available for free in their public restrooms. That is what it is all about. ACCESS to BASIC NEEDS should not be unattainable. Thank you Mt. Olive Public Library and Macoupin & Montgomery County ROSC - MMCR Council for sharing dignity in your community!

03/24/2025

Monthly Mensi Monday is Canceled for today, monday, march 24 due to illness.

01/01/2024

Spring 2024 at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville is approaching fast and The Mensi Project cabinet is EMPTY! We desperately need individually wrapped PADS, LINERS, WIPES, and TAMPONS. Any brands. All shapes and sizes.

Donations can be dropped off at Instructor Christy Ferguson's office (Peck Hall 2316) or send us a message for our shipping address. We can also do scheduled pick-ups for donations of 10 packages or more.

Not sure what to get? Check out our AMAZON wish list: https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/1S7W12QJ43SCM?ref_=wl_share

08/02/2023

Can you help out The Mensi Project? We are in need of PADS, TAMPONS, LINERS, AND WIPES!

07/31/2023

The Mensi Project Cabinet is BARE! We have helped so many people we have depleted our backstock donations! Although this is WONDERFUL NEWS, it also means we need your help! Can you help? Any donation, big or small, can help us further destroy the stigma of period poverty! Drop off products at Peck Hall 2316 OR contact us for pickup of larger donations. Thank you!!

11/11/2022

The most common question The Mensi Project gets is, "Why do we need menstruation products in the men's restrooms?"

What many do not realize is that humans can menstruate despite their gender. Not all menstruators are women.

Society often ignores the needs of some humans while advocating for others. Why do we not advocate for the menstrual needs of...
..Inters*x humans?..Q***r humans?..Non-binary humans?..Transgender humans?..Genderqueer humans?..Gender-fluid humans?

As a society, if we are going to continue to have bathrooms separated by the gender binary, we will continue to alienate humans who do not fit those specified categories. Not all buildings have non-gender-specific bathrooms available. Therefore, just like water, paper towels, toilet paper, and soap, these products are NECESSITIES. Also, contrary to popular belief, the need for these products cannot always be predicted.

Lack of access to these products is harmful in both physical and emotional ways. Incidentally, it harms NO ONE to have these products available in ALL bathrooms. Our campus is working hard to situate product machines and in-stall trash cans in all bathrooms on campus. Until then, The Mensi Project is PROUD and DETERMINED to make sure that ALL students, faculty/staff members, and visitors have easy and free access to menstrual products.

Bleeding is not limited to women and girls.

GENDERS do not menstruate. HUMANS do.

NOTE: Thanks to SIUE Lovejoy Library whose LGBTQIA+ Research and Resources Libguide for the terminology definitions provided on the poster!

10/07/2022

The Mensi Project is in need of donations to provide products for students, faculty, staff, and visitors. As well, we have been providing products for several community organizations. Please consider sharing this information with your friends, students, colleagues, etc. The more products we can gather, the more people we can help! Join our fight against stigma, shame, and period poverty!

09/12/2022

The realization that there are humans that exist outside the e socially accepted binaries of gender and s*x (male/female - man/woman - boy/girl) is one of the most important lessons to be learned in creating a harmonious future of true equality.

Alec's story is not a singularity. Alec is not dispensable. Alec is a human being just like you. After all, isn't that what we have been fighting for all along? HUMAN rights?

"It's really problematic for people to understand the concept of being inters*x. And inters*x people have had a hard time of it. If they've been surgically altered, they're told to hide it, and they're ashamed. Many people align with one gender or the other. Perhaps it's easier to live like that, to choose to be a man or a woman, and stick with it. But now there are alliances being built between non-binary qu**rs like me, and other inters*x people. And it's more hopeful for those born inters*x - surgery isn't as important any more..."

Alec Butler was brought up as a girl, but as an adult Alec realised they were inters*x - someone whose s*x is neither completely male nor female.

09/08/2022

Thank you to The Alestle for the article published about our project and the transphobic behavior we have endured. Check it out:

https://www.alestlelive.com/news/article_68a6f1e2-2efe-11ed-b61f-ef281d446d92.html?utm_source=alestlelive.com&utm_campaign=%2Fnewsletters%2Fheadlines%2F%3F-dc%3D1662634814&utm_medium=email&utm_content=headline

09/07/2022

Why does The Mensi Project fight to remain installed in men's rooms? Because equal access means access for ALL. Despite the transphobic behavior continually directed at the project, we stand firm against these attempts at silencing and intimidating a portion of our population.

We are currently installing permanent product machines in 10 men's rooms on campus (Yes, products will still be free!). Until we are able to put these machines in every, single restroom on campus, WE WILL KEEP REPLACING EVERY BAG/BASKET THAT IS DESTROYED OR REMOVED. Period.

From now until Trans Day of remembrance on November 20th, The Mensi Project is holding an ongoing donation drive and educational content-sharing extravaganza! Starting with the article attached to this post.

It is time for all to gain an understanding...

Gender does not menstruate, HUMANS do.

*Watch for the upcoming announcement of our donation needs and how you can help!

Safety concerns and a lack of access to menstruation products are among the issues trans and gender-nonconforming people face during "that time of the month."