WIT Celebrates One Year as Congressman John Lewis Transitions
July 17, 2020
Photos by Julius Shanks
In observance of the first anniversary of Women in Training, Inc. the WIT Youth Ambassadors visited historic Dexter Avenue in Montgomery, Alabama, the birthplace of the modern Civil Rights Movement. Congressman John Lewis of Georgia, an icon of the Movement, died on July 17, 2020, exactly one year after the formation of WIT.
Congressman Lewis' body traveled heroically from Selma to Dexter Avenue in Montgomery by horse-drawn carriage. His body laid in state at the Alabama Capitol on Sunday, July 26, 2020. It is noteworthy that just 55 years ago, on "Bloody Sunday," March 7, 1965, then 25-year-old Lewis led a nonviolent march for voting rights from Selma to Dexter Avenue in Montgomery. Lewis was beaten so badly by Alabama State Troopers that his head was cracked open and he thought he would die. Ultimately, Bloody Sunday led to the passage of the Voting Rights Act of 1965.
The WIT Youth Ambassadors also celebrated the 13th birthday of WIT founders, Breanna and Brooke Bennett.
WIT Ambassadors Distribute WITKITS in Low-Income Housing Projects
July 15, 2020
It was a joy for Women In Training Youth Ambassadors and volunteers to spend the day at Paterson Court public housing project with Joseph Jones of One Day One Power, and students from Alabama State University. The ASU students distributed brown lunch bags of home-made sandwiches and chips, and boxes of fresh vegetables and fruits.
Photo by Kelsey Babcock
WIT volunteers walked through the housing complex to hand-deliver #WITKITS filled with chlorine-free sanitary pads, unscented soap, shampoo and conditioner, deodorant, lotion, toothbrushes and toothpaste, socks, journals, and hand-made personalized bracelets. We also gave out free copies of WIT’s “A Young Woman’s Guide to the Menstrual Cycle,” a health education pamphlet written by Dr. LaToya Clark, WIT Medical Advisor.
Juneteenth celebration
June 19, 2020
Women in Training WIT Ambassadors at the Southern Poverty Law Center Juneteenth celebration on June 19, 2020, at the Civil Rights Memorial Center.
Justice for George Floyd Solidarity Protest
Alabama Department of Archives and History
Montgomery, Alabama
June 6, 2020
What's next? That is the first statement 12-year-old Breanna Bennett made after she gave her speech at the Justice for George Floyd Solidarity Protest, held in Montgomery, Alabama, on June 6, 2020, at the Alabama Department of Archives and History.Breanna intuitively knew that the global movement for justice and peace did not end when the protest signs went down. Bree and her twin sister, Brooke, have decided to update their 30-minute film, Architects of Change Documentary, to include information about this new movement to put a stop to police brutality and systemic oppression. Please give generously to the 501(c)3 nonprofit organization they co-founded, Women In Training, to support the film update.
WIT goes to the State House to advocate for HB-237
February 19, 2020
Women In Training - WIT founders Breanna and Brooke Bennett met with Rep. Rolanda Hollis and Rep. Tashina Morris in the State House on February 19, 2020, to advocate for HB-237, a bill inspired by WIT's work to provide menstrual products to youth who lack reliable resources for these monthly needed items. Rep. Hollis' bill will require schools to provide free menstrual products to any Alabama students in grades 5 through 12 who need them. Not often that 12-year-olds help to shape state policy, but for Brooke and Breanna (and their very proud family, WIT Board members, and friends) it's the logical next step in their work for health and wellness equity. Here's some photos of the momentous occasion.
Photos by Jill Friedman
Common Ground of Montgomery
#WITKITS® Giveaway
February 14, 2020
The Women in Training Valentines Day giveaway at Common Ground Montgomery of #WITKITS overflowing with menstrual, hygiene and dental products was a love-filled experience! Dr. LaToya Clark of Jackson Hospital chatted with the young ladies about menstrual health; they raised some “real” questions about the menstrual experience. Kelsey Babcock then led a fun exercise about our secret nicknames for the period. Brooke Bennett, the 12-year-old Women in Training co-founder, sweetly gave out the #WITKITS. A special treat was the beautiful bracelets that were hand-crafted by Professor Lee A. Farrow of Auburn University in Montgomery. The new #WITKIT bag was generously sponsored by Barbara Jean Gilbert Wells of Capell & Howard P.C. Attorneys At Law.
Photos by Jill Friedman