March 23, 2026 - Pittsburgh, PA
Department of Health Secretary Dr. Debra Bogen will highlight the $6 million invested by the Shapiro Administration over the past two years to support young women and keep them in the classroom by providing free period products to schools across Pennsylvania during a visit to Pittsburgh Public Schools. The funding enables schools to provide students with access to free period products, in line with the Shapiro Administration's efforts to improve health equity. Two years ago, the Shapiro Administration secured the first-ever investment of $3 million in funding for free period products for all schools. Another $3 million was invested in the current 2025-2026 state budget. The initiative can help many of the more than 650,000 girls in Pennsylvania schools. The Governor's 2026-2027 proposed budget builds on that commitment by allocating an additional $3 million to ensure students continue to have access to hygiene products to help them stay in school and focus on learning. Free period product funding has been distributed to more than 750 Pennsylvania school districts, intermediate units, career and technical centers, and brick-and-mortar charter schools since the program was established. WHO: Secretary of Health Dr. Debra Bogen Pittsburgh First Lady Katie O'Connor Pittsburgh Sterrett Principal Dr. Michele Holly Pittsburgh Public Schools Director of Health Services Rae-Ann Green Pittsburgh Serrett students WHEN: MONDAY, March 23, 2026 1:00 PM WHERE:Pittsburgh Sterrett Classical Academy 7100 Reynolds Street Pittsburgh, PA 15208 VISUAL:Tour of Sterrett Classical Academy's Care Closet, which provides students access to hygiene products and clothing. MEDIA RSVP: Media interested in attending must RSVP with the name of the reporter and photojournalist to ra-dhpressoffice@pa.gov.
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