February Volunteer of the Month: Madeline Riske
Madeline Riske is a second-year University of Iowa student studying English & creative writing on the publishing track, with a minor in gender, women’s, and sexuality studies. Aside from working on the Love For Red writing team, she is also involved in several undergraduate literary magazines on campus. She founded Catharsis Lit Mag and is also involved in earthwords, an undergraduate literary journal. She is super involved in the English program and works as an Honors Writing Fellow. She plans to study abroad in Dublin this summer in the Irish Writing Program. When she is not reading, she can usually be found playing guitar or trying out local coffee shops.
How and why did you get involved in Love For Red?
It’s very serendipitous, actually, because I met Maanya during my first week ever on campus at Iowa. We met at Bingo Night! As I got to know her, I learned about Love For Red, and I thought the organization sounded so amazing. I was really involved in activism in high school—I helped found this club called “The Empowerment Club” with my friends to empower students to get involved in our community—and I was searching for a way to continue my activism journey in college. So, finding Love For Red was the perfect fit for me! I loved that this was a nonprofit started by young people. I know firsthand how adults have a tendency to underestimate the power of young people, especially young women, and their desire to address inequality, so I was inspired by the way that Love For Red was embracing the power and determination of people of all ages banding together to end period poverty. Love For Red’s mission is so important to me because I value my education more than anything. I want to make sure that every student has access to the basic necessity of period products so that they may pursue their education with the dignity and safety that they deserve.
As a member of the Writing Team on Love For Red, I help write our Newsletters (you should totally sign up if you haven’t already!). So, when you get those monthly emails in your inbox, it is usually me who sends them out! I love being on the Writing team because I think that writing has the unmatched potential to educate and inspire, so I am really happy to combine my two passions for writing and activism in this role.
What are your hopes for the future working with Love For Red?
My hope is that I can continue volunteering, advocating, and learning as a member of Love For Red. Love For Red has taught me that, if you truly work towards your goals, you can change people’s lives. I hope to continue embracing the small moments of talking to someone about period poverty stats a tabling event, making a period pack, or talking with a senator during Day on the Hill, because the small moments are actually what have the power to make a positive difference in the community and beyond.
What impact have you seen Love For Red make?
We just had our 2024 Day on the Hill event, and that made me reflect on how, almost a year ago, we were introducing ourselves to representatives and asking them to raise a bill that aligned with our advocacy goals. Now, Bill (HF2356) is being assigned to the Appropriation Committee, meaning it is funnel proof and will stay alive until the end of the legislative session. The bill supports making menstrual products monetarily and physically more accessible in schools by providing free access to feminine hygiene products in public school restrooms. This was such an accomplishment and it is so wonderful to know that our voices are being heard.
What has been your favorite part about being in Love For Red?
The people. The lit mag that I founded recently released its first issue, and when I posted about that exciting accomplishment, I swear half of my comments/reposts/and likes were Love For Red members! They are just that nice. Everyone is so supportive, kind, and driven, and I find myself being inspired just by working with them.