Claire Coder, Founder and CEOHow does Aunt Flow address the barriers students face in accessing menstrual products?
Leading that change is Aunt Flow, a certified woman-owned business and Insider Education Magazine’s 2026 Tampon and Pad Provider of the Year. Founded with a mission rooted in equity and dignity, the company has become a national leader in transforming how schools approach menstrual access. By placing free-vending dispensers stocked with high-quality pads and tampons directly inside restrooms, Aunt Flow has redefined period care as essential infrastructure—just like toilet paper or soap.
“When access is built into the environment, students don’t have to pause their day or explain themselves,” says Sarah Howard, VP of Marketing and Impact. “They can stay focused on being students.”
Addressing a Systemic Problem
Aunt Flow was founded by CEO Claire Coder at just 18 years old after getting her period unexpectedly, without the supplies she needed, at The Ohio State University. Claire thought to herself, “If toilet paper is offered for free, why aren’t tampons and pads?” From that moment on, it became her mission to ensure free period products were available in public restrooms.
Today, that mission is reshaping school systems. By ensuring products are freely accessible in restrooms, Aunt Flow helps remove this obstacle entirely, allowing students to focus on their education rather than their lack of access to menstrual products.
“Menstrual hygiene is not a luxury, it’s a necessity,” says education advocate Nayelis St. Omer. “These dispensers provide free and easy access so no student ever has to feel ashamed, uncomfortable, or unprepared at school. This is about empowering young women and breaking down stigma.”
Supporting Policy Change and School Participation
How does Aunt Flow’s mission empower students and break down stigma?
More than 27 states have introduced or enacted legislation requiring schools to provide free menstrual products, reflecting a broader recognition that access to menstrual care is a basic student need and fundamental to student equity and well-being.
Aunt Flow is a trusted partner in helping schools meet these evolving expectations. The company’s dispensers are now installed in more than 70,000 bathrooms across the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom, supporting over 2.5 million students in more than 1,600 K–12 schools and higher education institutions.
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Access to period products is a basic necessity. Aunt Flow ensures students can focus on learning, not worrying about their period.
“We want period care to be something students never have to think twice about,” says Sami Sharfin, Brand and Communications Manager. “It should simply be there, like any other essential resource.”
School leaders say the impact is immediate. “By removing obstacles to accessing hygiene products, we’re empowering students to focus on education without the added burden of navigating challenges related to their well-being,” shared a school leader at Atlanta Heights Charter School.
Practical Solution for Schools
How does Aunt Flow ensure schools can successfully implement and maintain their period programs?
School leaders cite operational simplicity as a key reason for implementing Aunt Flow’s period programs. The company’s free-vend dispensers are installed directly in school bathrooms—no coins required. Stocked with high-quality certified organic cotton pads and tampons, these dispensers allow students to access the products they need at no cost, helping them stay in class and continue their education uninterrupted.
Designed with practicality and inclusivity in mind, Aunt Flow’s dispensers are ADA-compliant, multilingual, and support students of all ages and abilities. Pad-only dispensers are especially popular in elementary and middle schools, where students are often just starting their periods, while combination pad-and-tampon dispensers serve older students in high schools, colleges, and universities. These award-winning dispensers hold up to 5x more capacity than competitors, are easy to reload, and provide a cost-effective, scalable solution for schools committed to menstrual equity.
Beyond the physical product, the woman-owned company provides comprehensive implementation support to ensure long-term success. Schools receive toolkits, signage, and facilities guidance to help normalize access while ensuring staff feel confident supporting students.
“Programs last when they fit into existing routines,” says Erin Gutstein, Growth Marketing Manager. “When restocking is fast and predictable, access stays consistent—and students can rely on it.”
Facilities leaders echo that sentiment. Linda Craghead, Director of Facility Services at Kansas State University, noted, “Aunt Flow’s commitment to sustainability, inclusion, and accessibility sets them apart as a true leader. Because of that partnership, we’ve expanded free period product access across hundreds of restrooms, helping improve accessibility for our entire campus community.”
Real-World Impact
The real measure of success lies in student outcomes. In 2022, Utah passed legislation requiring free period products in K–12 schools, Aunt Flow installed dispensers across nearly every public and charter school, expanding access to more than 337,000 students.
In schools where Aunt Flow dispensers were implemented, attendance and engagement improved noticeably. For example, research from New York City schools found that offering free period products improved attendance by 2.4%, and early indicators from Utah suggest similar outcomes, showing that students are staying in class and participating in extracurricular activities more than before.
Educators report that students are no longer leaving class early, missing school days, or facing unnecessary embarrassment. Instead, menstrual care has become normalized, destigmatized, and dependable.
Streamlined Operations and Cost-Efficiency
What impact has Aunt Flow’s programs had on student attendance and engagement?
For school administrators and facilities teams, Aunt Flow’s dispensers offer a highly efficient, cost-effective solution. Unlike traditional dispensers, Aunt Flow’s units hold up to five times more product and can be reloaded in just 30 seconds—a significant time-saver for custodial staff.
The dispensers also feature clear viewing windows to indicate when they need refilling, reducing guesswork and ensuring products are always available. This simplicity and ease of use contribute to the program's long-term success, turning a pilot project into a permanent fixture in schools.
High-Quality, Sustainable Products
Aunt Flow’s products are designed with the highest standards of quality and sustainability. All tampons and pads are made from certified organic cotton and are free of dyes, fragrances, and other harmful ingredients. While other brands still use outdated, non-organic, and undisclosed materials, Aunt Flow offers clean, comfortable, and environmentally friendly options that help students feel more confident. The company’s focus on sustainability also aligns with the growing demand for eco-friendly products in the education sector.
The Bigger Picture: Building a Movement
Aunt Flow is more than just a product; it’s part of a larger movement for menstrual equity. The company’s holistic approach includes menstrual education resources, legislative advocacy, and partnerships with nonprofit organizations, helping increase access to period care.
Since 2021, Aunt Flow has donated over 7.6 million period products to underserved communities, ensuring that menstruators in need also have access to quality care. This commitment to the cause extends beyond just providing products—it’s about building a sustainable, inclusive system that supports all menstruators. They call this: Changing the world, one cycle at a time.
