Menstruation looks different for everyone, yet it simultaneously connects us all. Please meet the team that designed this website below as they share about their personal journeys and offer messages they find inspirational!

Astou Mbacke

Growing up in the Bronx, I saw firsthand how homelessness strips people of their dignity, especially women. Homeless women are often overlooked and dehumanized, facing higher risks of physical and sexual violence. One of the most basic yet overlooked resources they need is menstrual products. Pads, tampons, and hygiene products are often seen as luxuries when they should be treated as necessities. At the same time, my family is originally from Senegal, where period poverty and inaccessibility are widespread, and there is a deeply rooted cultural stigma. Witnessing this intersection of injustice, both in my community and culture, sparked something in me. I realized how much I had taken something as simple as a pad for granted. It was a privilege I didn’t even recognize as a privilege. That’s what drove me to join The Pad Project. I hope to break the silence surrounding periods and work towards creating a more compassionate world.

Victoria Haviland

My period was never a big deal until around 14 years old, when I started getting excruciating period cramps. I constantly heard from parents, coaches, and friends, saying, "It's normal; everyone has cramps. Take some ibuprofen." After struggling silently for years, I finally visited a gynecologist, where I learned that I might have endometriosis. What may be considered "normal" for some may not be the case for you. Everyone's menstrual experience is unique, so it's vital not to let others undermine your pain and to always listen to your body!

Freya Inglis-Eickmeier

I don’t have any specific first memories of when I got my period. But I do remember that it felt like it took time to normalize. During this time, I learned the importance of self-advocacy. You should take anything that feels off seriously. It’s better safe than sorry. Also, remember, the first thing you try might not fix it, but don’t give up. Try something else. I started to advocate for period equity when I was quite young. I was in grade 4 or 5 (9 to 10 years old) when I started advocating for menstrual equity. This was brought about by the fact that there were no garbage cans or menstrual products in the washrooms of my elementary school. I, alongside a committee, took this issue to the school board and got it remedied. I have been an advocate for menstrual equity ever since.

Mariam Iqbal

My journey with menstrual equity started a few years ago when I noticed a problem in my own community: menstruators did not have access to free period products at my school. This led to inconvenient situations and overall discomfort until I decided to act. After organizing a successful pad drive, my school installed free dispensers in all restrooms. But this victory revealed a deeper truth: menstrual products are treated as privileges, not necessities, and in many places, they’re still seen as taboo. No one should have to struggle for something so basic.

Ishya Jain

When I visited my family in India, I brought period products to donate to an orphanage in Uttarakhand and domestic workers in the surrounding neighborhoods. I was surprised to see my extended family members use euphemisms for the pads, as if calling them "pads" was embarrassing or impolite. This experience taught me that dismantling the stigma around menstruation begins with our rhetoric, and I’m excited to play a role, however small, in changing our menstrual vernacular.

Gurbaani Kakkar

I remember the first time I learned about menstruation, I was completely misinformed and given unreliable information. As I grew up, I slowly collected more information from sparse trusted sources, and then I really understood my own body. As a Pad Project Ambassador, this is what I intend to do: spread the availability of good, reliable, and trusted sources for young women who want the right information so they can understand their bodies. My experience as a pre-teen drove this passion because I remember the uncomfortable feelings of confusion and anger. This website, created with love and care, will help young women everywhere have the right information and begin to understand how amazing their bodies are as menstruators.

Sahasra Kalva

My understanding of menstrual equity began when I learned about the harsh realities faced by many people in India—those who are exiled during their periods or forced to use unsafe materials like rags and ashes due to stigma and lack of accessibility. Witnessing this opened my eyes to how deeply entrenched cultural shame can be, and it fueled my passion to create change. Personally, my menstrual journey has helped me build empathy, resiliency, and pride for my body. It’s pushed me to advocate for education and dignity in communities where these conversations are often avoided. Periods should not be a source of silence—they should be a source of strength.

Hasmitha Kanugula

When I first learned about periods, I remember feeling like I had to hide something—it felt taboo. The very fact of getting my period felt as if it was not treated normally. Growing up in a community where families had drastically different views on periods made me realize the underlying stigmas that exist for so many young girls, preventing them from easily and comfortably accessing information on menstruation. Issues like these have not only inspired my interest in public healthcare but also have taught me the importance of empathy and advocacy. That is why I joined The Pad Project as an Ambassador—to help those feel seen and heard, and to teach that menstruation is not a drawback, but a healing process that builds strength, resiliency, and compassion towards ourselves and others.

Nicole Kim

I still remember sitting in class, panicking because I didn’t know how to ask for a pad. In Korean culture, periods are often surrounded by silence and superstition. That moment made me realize how isolating it can be to grow up thinking your body is something to hide. That is what led me to advocate for menstrual equity—to strive for honest conversations, and the fact that every girl deserves to feel seen. Our voices matter. Our health matters. And we are never a burden for simply being human.

Priya Klein

A few years ago, when I was volunteering at a local food pantry, I was tasked with handing out menstrual products to visitors. I quickly realized how much taboo and shame still surround the topic–some shoppers hesitated to take products, while others avoided eye contact as they quietly accepted a pack. What struck me most, though, was the inconsistency of supply. There were days when we didn’t have enough products for everyone who needed them, or we lacked the right types to meet individual needs. Seeing this firsthand made me realize that menstrual health isn’t just a personal issue–it’s a matter of equity. That experience pushed me to get involved in menstrual advocacy, and I’ve been committed to fighting for accessibility, education, and dignity ever since.

Saya Malek

When I visited Iran, I was shocked that my older cousin did not know how to use a pad. She had never been taught, and the topic was so taboo in her home that she felt too ashamed to ask. When I mentioned my period in front of some male family members, I was shamed. I was told it was inappropriate, that I should not speak about such things in public, especially in front of men. That experience opened my eyes to the deep stigma that surrounds menstrual health and the urgent need for menstrual education. That’s why I joined The Pad Project. I wanted to fight against the shame that had once been directed at me, and to help build a world where girls do not have to whisper about their periods. A world where menstruators are equipped with both the products and knowledge they need, and where menstruation is seen not as shameful, but as a symbol of strength, health, and humanity.

McKenzie Maling

I was first introduced to the issue of period poverty in 2023, when I participated in the Coro Youth Fellows Program, during which I worked with a small group to design a day of education about period poverty for our cohort. We watched Period. End Of Sentence. and hosted a packing party to assemble kits of period products to distribute to those in need. That experience introduced me to the harsh realities of period stigma and the lack of menstrual awareness and resources all over the world. I was inspired by the impact of the short film and left the program wanting to expand my advocacy and outreach to help ensure access to period care for all and to fight period stigma in my own community. As a result, I started the first period poverty-focused club at my high school, called Breaking the Cycle, and joined The Pad Project as an Ambassador. I believe that every menstruator should have access to free, quality period products and that a menstruator’s ability to afford period products should not dictate their ability to succeed.

Meghan Organ

I learned about menstruation from my fourth-grade teacher, who explained it to both the boys and girls in my class like it was a casual conversation. He taught us as though we were doing any other lesson, completely void of any stigma or discomfort. I do not think I understood how much this conversation would guide me later in life. As I grew older, I began to explore more feminist movements and understand the systems that shape our lives. I saw how menstruation, something that is natural and universal, was so stigmatized and shrouded in silence. I quickly realized that periods are not just personal experiences, but a political issue and a barrier to education, equity, and equality. That's why I joined The Pad Project and am proud to be an advisor, speaking on an issue often left in silence. I believe that conversation is important, and to destigmatize menstruation, the first step is to be loud.

Anvi Pola

As a growing girl, I was curious about everything, especially about my body. I had to watch BrainPOP to educate myself about what periods were because I was too scared to ask my mom. I finally got my period in 6th grade, and it was an interesting journey. There were some places where I was lost, due to not having access to pads and a peer to communicate with. I had no idea what to do, and that is why I am part of this program. I hated the experience of being lost, so I decided that if I could have the opportunity to help others with period poverty and other issues, I would use that opportunity to support others and make myself feel better about menstrual equity. Today, I believe that period poverty is often forgotten, but I have done a lot to help bring awareness to the situation. With my Girl Scout troop, we launched a website with tips for girls about periods and issues going on “behind the scenes.” This is just the first step to solving the gender gap, and I want to say that embarrassment should not come first, but caring for yourself should.

Liora Ragozin

My menstrual journey has taught me to love and appreciate all that our bodies do for us. Yet the journey to self-appreciation is not always linear, and I know other menstruators stay silent about periods. In school, friends whisper to one another for tampons, then hide them up their sleeves. The first step to combating this stigma is starting discussions. While it may initially take you outside of your comfort zone, even the shortest conversations about menstruation with others make a big chip in the stigma and taboo surrounding it. I am proud to be an advisor to this incredible group of changemakers, who each bring a unique light and spark to our discussions and advocacy work.

Sophia Tarasenko

My menstrual journey began with endometriosis awareness when I watched a close friend endure unimaginable pain, miss school, and be dismissed by doctors, only to be later diagnosed with endometriosis. Seeing her struggle opened my eyes to how misunderstood this condition is. That’s why I started SHINE (Spreading Health Information about Endometriosis Awareness), a website and Instagram that spreads the message that period pain is not normal. Listen to your body, advocate for yourself, and never stop pushing for the care you deserve. Women’s health and menstrual equity are so important.

Handakina Tsegaye

My period didn’t mean anything until I realized how privileged I was to not consider my period a burden in my life. Menstrual hygiene products are a necessity, not a privilege. Yet we live in a world where these basic products and protective measures are considered a luxury. As girls and women, it is our duty to fight for one another, for the present, and for our future. So much of women’s health is under-researched and/or undervalued. Hence, it is imperative that we consider advocacy as our duty, and not just a means to an end. As I look at the period poverty statistics of my country, Ethiopia, I feel invigorated to continue my advocacy. In fact, as I look at statistics around the world, I feel even more motivated to continue my advocacy work. And I hope that this sense of responsibility is instilled in all girls and women.

Olivia Youdelman

My journey combating period poverty began after I volunteered at a local homeless shelter, and I realized that these women did not have access to any free period products. After this realization, I began a period product drive in my hometown, which has expanded across my state and sends products to local community shelters. Everyone involved can see the impact they are making. After doing this, I applied to be a Pad Project Ambassador and got together with this lovely group of women. As one girl, I am so excited to be a part of this big change.

XOXO Olivia!!!

Page updated

Google Sites

Report abuse