When Sabrina Natasha Browne runs out of menstrual hygiene products, she, like a lot of people, goes to CVS and pays the $12 to $15 it may cost to replenish her supply. Up until four years ago, she didn’t realize how many others who menstruate simply can’t walk into a drugstore and walk out with the menstrual health products they need, especially in her community of Hoboken, New Jersey.
“I was aware period poverty impacted global communities but couldn’t believe it was occurring in my local community of Hoboken,” Browne said while speaking to theGrio during Menstrual Health Awareness Month in May.
The New Jersey-based professional said her eyes were opened while participating in a volunteer drive for products hosted by The Hoboken Girl and The Flow Initiative, a national nonprofit based in New Jersey.
“As a volunteer, I immediately galvanized my network to donate thousands of products to help those in need,” she added.
Browne didn’t stop there. She eventually became a partner in The Flow Initiative, working alongside founder Eiko La Boria to end period poverty for all. She specifically handles organizational partnerships and drives consumer awareness of period poverty nationwide.
“I’m proud to be a partner at The Flow Initiative and be at the forefront of the menstrual health movement with Eiko as we work to end period poverty,” she explained.
Browne described period poverty as “a public health issue when women, girls, people who menstruate, don’t have access to menstrual health products, including pads, tampons, panty liners.”
She added that it’s a global issue impacting adults and children. Roughly two in five teens have reported struggling to afford menstrual health products, one in five may miss school because of their period, and another 44% have reported experiencing embarrassment or shame around not having access to products. When people don’t have reliable access to quality menstrual…
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