With dispensers for free maxi pads and tampons installed in Franklin County-owned Huntington Park, the City of Columbus claims to be the first U.S. city to provide free menstrual products at all its major sports venues.
Columbus Mayor Andrew Ginther celebrated the milestone with an announcement Sept. 29 at the Clippers' stadium, Downtown. Columbus-based period product company Aunt Flow has installed 165 free-vend dispensers across Ohio Stadium, the Greater Columbus Convention Center, Nationwide Arena, ScottsMiracle-Gro Field, Historic Crew Stadium, Schottenstein Center and Huntington Park.
"If toilet paper and paper towels are free, why not tampons and pads?" said Jenna Saponaro, chief of staff at Aunt Flow. "They're a basic necessity. 86% of women
have unexpectedly gotten their period in public without the supplies they need. No one should have to leave their seat, miss the game or ask a stranger for help because of something that happens every month."
At the Huntington Park event, Ginther challenged other cities to follow Columbus' lead and offer free period products in sports venues. He also took the opportunity to highlight his IgniteHER Columbus initiative to advance girls' and women's sports in the city, which recently launched a mentorship program to pair female student-athletes at central Ohio universities with former collegiate athletes.
“IgniteHER is about empowering girls and women through sports, while growing the community of women who participate in and support sports here in Columbus,” Ginther said. “Providing free period products across all our major sports venues helps remove another barrier girls and women face, while actively supporting them and helping them feel supported, valued and confident."
Ginther announced in his 2025 State of the City Address that he wants to make Columbus the nation's capital for women's sports. IgniteHer Columbus is also led by First Lady Shannon Ginther, the Greater Columbus Sports Commission and Experience Columbus.
Maggie Oliphint, a Whetstone High School soccer player, said at the event that Columbus' partnership with Aunt Flow is a big step forward in making women feel supported physically, socially and economically in a vulnerable context.
"I have so much pride in Columbus' role as a pioneer in gender equity," Oliphint said.
Columbus Urban League President and CEO Stephanie Hightower, a former U.S. champion in the 100-meter hurdles, joined the mayor's announcement.
"For the first time, doors are swinging wide for women," Hightower said. "Once relegated to the back benches, women today are hitting their stride and entering an arena that is far more welcoming."
Government and politics reporter Jordan Laird can be reached at jlaird@dispatch.com. Follow her on X, Instagram and Bluesky at @LairdWrites.
This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Ginther says Columbus is first to offer free period products at major sports venues
