Women In Training and South University (SU), based in Montgomery, Alabama, have teamed up to distribute essential hygiene kits to women in need as part of their efforts to combat period poverty in local communities. The initiative seeks to address the challenges faced by individuals who struggle to access menstrual products, proper hygiene facilities, and education on menstrual health. According to the Ballard Brief, around 16.9 million people who menstruate in the US live in poverty, highlighting the pressing need for accessible period care.
“US University and Nonprofit Partner to Donate Hygiene Kits in the Fight Against Period Poverty,” reads the headline for the joint initiative between Women In Training and SU. The university’s involvement brings together a diverse group of volunteers, including students from the nursing and physical therapy assistant programs, who worked alongside nonprofit members to assemble hygiene kits. The kits contain essentials such as body wash, soap, shampoo, bath sponges, toothbrushes, toothpaste, deodorant, dental floss, pads, tampons, and socks.
The impact of period poverty is widespread in the US, with studies showing that one in three women struggle to afford menstrual products. According to the Alliance for Period Supplies (APS), many women and girls are forced to make difficult choices, such as skipping school or work, due to the inability to access necessary menstrual care.
In response to this crisis, Kimberly-Clark took a step toward raising awareness and ending period poverty earlier this year. The company committed to donating period products to APS for every U by Kotex or Thinx product purchased in Walgreens stores or online during a limited-time campaign. This was part of a broader effort to make menstrual products more accessible and support organizations dedicated to fighting period poverty.
“US University and Nonprofit Partner to Donate Hygiene Kits in the Fight Against Period Poverty,” is a slogan that aptly reflects the collaborative spirit between SU and Women In Training, who are deeply committed to improving the lives of young women in their community. The two organizations also partnered in September to pack over 200 feminine hygiene products for local women in need.
Founded in 2019 by twin sisters Brooke and Breanna Bennett when they were just 12 years old, Women In Training aims to tackle the issue of period poverty and address the broader challenges facing girls and young women. Their work extends beyond providing hygiene products; the nonprofit is also focused on providing young women with access to educational opportunities in fields like science, technology, engineering, and medicine (STEM), where women remain underrepresented. According to Coursera, women make up just over a quarter of the overall STEM workforce, and Women In Training seeks to inspire more young women to pursue careers in these important areas.
In addition to their community outreach, the nonprofit has partnered with organizations like Olay, which launched an online course through Coursera to educate individuals on skin care and encourage more women, particularly women of color, to pursue careers in the cosmetic science field. With initiatives like these, both Women In Training and South University are making significant strides toward improving access to resources and opportunities for young women.
