Who We Are, What We Do and Why.

Body changing, hormone shifting, self-esteem lowering, and life altering…These are just a few of the things we felt when we began menstruating in our “tween” years.

Through all the painful periods, embarrassing moments and missed school, we’ve realized how fortunate we were to have incredible parental support, access to feminine products and medical care and that many are not as fortunate.

In 2022, we are inspired to help fight period inequality.  We started Free Flo Texas, a non-profit, as a way to help females in our local community have access to menstrual products, regardless of financial circumstances, and to provide emotional and educational support to girls and women who struggle with the stigma of menstruation.

Through Sophie's eyes....

Since getting my first cycle, I have experienced intense pain, frequent bleed throughs, and extreme changes in my body. Through these experiences, I have felt uncomfortable bringing up my need for help because of the nasty stigma associated with periods. Even though I am lucky enough to not worry about affording feminine care products, I struggled with reaching out when in need of emotional support. I was embarrassed to ask about things, depressed about all the crazy changes physically and emotionally, I was going through. When I started experiencing Menorrhagia (heavy menstrual bleeding), that had to change.  I had a great support system in my parents and I had access to any medical support needed.  However, I still missed school and life events because of it.

When I learned about period poverty, and that some young women didn’t even have products for when they were on their cycle, I became passionate about helping those who don’t have the financial stability to stay sanitary during that time of month nor have the voice to fight against the ugly stigma that accompanies periods. 

Through Izzie's eyes....

When I first started getting my period, it was nothing like I had imagine or even really heard it being like.  I was in constant pain, bleeding through everything and I didn't know how to use tampons and was certainly too embarrassed to ask!  As I matured, a few of these problems lessened with open communication with my parents and medical help.  However, It still impacted my every day life events including sports and school.  I had parents willing and capable to bring me items I need when I bled through or a school district that has free emergency feminine products through the nurse when needed.  It was during one of those school situations when I first heard about period poverty.  I remember hearing how schools in our surrounding areas either had to pay for feminine products from the nurse or didn't even have access to them.  I was blown away.  I realized again how fortunate I am and how unfair it was for other women to not have access to what they need in order to have clean, healthy and comfortable periods.  This inequality was something my sister and I became extremely passionate about and lead us to our decision to start FreeFloTexas and get into the fight, along with others, to help end period poverty.