Celebrating Women's History Month: Menstrual Equity and Inclusion with Holly Johnston and Carly Pistawka

In this special episode of Pushing Forward with Alycia, celebrating Women's History Month, Alycia Anderson discusses the importance of menstrual equity and inclusion with guests Holly Johnston and Carly Pistawka. Holly is the founder of 'Periods for All,' a nonprofit organization dedicated to making menstrual products accessible for marginalized communities, while Carly is an advocate in the menstrual health community and co-founder of Moon Time Sisters BC (now Moon Time Connections). The conversation covers their personal journeys, advocacy work, barriers faced by disabled individuals in managing menstruation, and future initiatives aimed at improving menstrual health accessibility.

Core Messages & Essential Lessons of this Episode

😊 Turning Struggles into Strength for Others

♿ Making Accessibility a Priority for Everyone

🩸 Making Menstrual Health Accessible for All

🚀 Breaking Barriers: A Commitment to Inclusivity

❤️ Making Everyday Moments Easier for Loved Ones

🎉 Celebrating Natural Moments: The Impact of Inclusion

💪 Breaking the Menstrual Stigma

🌿 Navigating Life with Chronic Pain and Disability: A Personal Journey

👩‍🏫 Life Skills Coach Mom's Surprising Family Insight

Jump to Your Favorite Moments

00:00 Introduction to Pushing Forward with Alycia

00:26 Exploring Menstrual Equity and Inclusion

00:51 Meet the Advocates: Holly Johnston and Carly Pistawka

02:09 Personal Experiences with Disability and Menstruation

09:05 Challenges and Barriers in Menstrual Health

11:58 Creating Inclusive Menstrual Health Resources

19:44 Future Initiatives and How to Support

29:09 Final Thoughts and Pushing Forward Moments

Quotes from Our Conversation

“If I can do something that helps another person with a disability, then my struggle has been worth it.” ~ Carly Pistawka

“ It's not that hard to provide accessibility and inclusion right from the very beginning. Everybody needs the same access. There's no reason why we shouldn't.” ~ Holly Johnston

Connect with Our Guests

Carly is a physically disabled individual that is passionate about advocating for access and equity. In 2020, Carly co-founded Moon Time Sisters BC, a non-profit group aimed to send menstrual products to remote Indigenous communities in Northern BC and the Territories. Currently, Carly is the Education and Advocacy Lead for Periods for All. She is hoping to pursue a medical degree, and has a Bachelors of Science in Biotechnology from UBC.

Carly’s LinkedIn Profile | Carly’s X Account | Moon Time Sisters BC

Contact Holly Johnston

Holly has been a dedicated advocate for children and youth with diverse needs for over 25 years. From her early experiences in Child and Family Services, being a foster parent, and to her role as a Life Skill Coach and mother of 5. Inspired by the unique challenges faced by those with increased barriers, Holly recognized the pressing need to address the gap in menstrual accessibility for marginalized individuals, and started the nonprofit Periods for All to help create a world where menstrual equity is a reality for all.

Holly’s LinkedIn Profile | Periods for All Instagram | Periods for All Website

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