Making a Difference with Justice Girlup

Submitted By: Renee Grutzik, Justice High School Senior

My name is Renee Grutzik, and I am a senior at Justice High School in Falls Church, Virginia. I am one of the 84 members of the Justice chapter of GirlUp, a global organization founded by the United Nations Foundation and devoted to creating equal opportunities for women around the globe. 

At my school’s chapter of GirlUp, we have a focus on menstrual equity. Menstrual equity is the idea that everyone, regardless of financial situation, should have equal access to menstrual hygiene products. Since half of the population gets their period every month, we believe that everyone has the right to care for themselves affordably, comfortably, and without indignity. 

One of the most impactful projects that Justice GirlUp has taken on is providing free menstrual products in our school’s bathrooms. Each bathroom has a three-drawer bin that contains pads and sometimes tampons. This project has been the framework for Fairfax County Public School’s menstrual hygiene pilot program, where 37 schools received free pads and tampons for student use.

Through GirlUp, I have been given countless amazing opportunities like testifying to a VA Senate subcommittee, meeting with correspondents of US Senators about the Equal Rights Amendment, and even receiving a Student Peace Award.