Photos by Nystasha Kelly of Complexion Photography
In honor of National Student Athlete Day on April 6, 2024, Alabama State University student athletes organized and packed 100 Women in Training WITKITS of menstrual, dental and hygiene supplies to distribute to girls in Montgomery Public Schools.
"National Student Athlete Day honors all those students who manage to excel both academically and athletically," said Kensley Simmons from the ASU soccer team. "Through the Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) we participated in the community service project to give back to the community that gives so much to us as athletes."
Ms. Simmons led the community service project.
"We are so grateful for this partnership with Alabama State University student athletes to help end period poverty so all girls and women can live joyful lives participating in sports and other activities they enjoy all month long!" said Adeyela Bennett, President and Chief Engagement Officer of Women in Training, Inc. "In addition to packing and distributing WITKITS of menstrual, dental and hygiene supplies, we hope the ASU student athletes can serve as mentors for the high school Monarchs in the WIT Leadership Development Academy."
The following Alabama State University student athletes volunteered with Women in Training, Inc. (WIT) on National Student Athlete Day:
Brooke Adams, Volleyball
Nazareth Bryant, Football
Logan Horne, Volleyball
Kensley Simmons, Soccer
Lauryn Starwood, Soccer
Ms. Simmons previously led a community service with Women in Training, Inc. for the Alabama State University Women's Soccer team. Ms. Char Walker of Brick & Board Real Estate Advisors, a WIT corporate donor and volunteer, connected Ms. Simmons to the youth empowerment organization.
One in four American girls and young women skip school or miss work because they cannot afford sanitary pads or tampons to stay healthy and clean during their period. To help end
period poverty, Women in Training, Inc. provides donations of WITKITS – canvas bags full of feminine hygiene products – to at-risk girls, young women and nonbinary youth. WIT also provides educational information programs about menstruation for girls and women, and publishes the brochure, The WIT Guide to the Menstrual Cycle. WIT was founded by Breanna and Brooke Bennett five years ago on their 12th birthday in July 2019.