To kick off National Menstrual Health Awareness Month, Women in Training, Inc. distributed WITKITS of menstrual, dental and hygiene supplies to third through fifth grade girls, and presented the WIT Menstrual Hygiene Education workshop to girls and their moms at Seth Johnson Elementary School in Montgomery, Alabama, on Wednesday, May 1, 2024.
Ms. Claudia Mitchell, School Board Member, Montgomery Public Schools, gave greetings. Dr. Marguerite Barber-Owens, MD, and Nurse Educator Nyoka Samuels-Gilchrist, MSN, RN, facilitated the training, while Airmen from the Alabama Air National Guard, under the leadership of Chief Master Sergeant Mataya Williams, provided logistical support.
Security Officer Earnestine Woods, who also serves as the Community Liaison Specialist at Seth Johnson Elementary, obtained permission from Ms. Kiyomi Moore, Interim Principal, to bring the WIT Menstrual Hygiene Education workshop to the school for 3rd through 5th grade girls and their mothers.
Montgomery Public Schools Board Member Claudia Mitchell expressed happiness about mothers bringing their daughters to the menstrual hygiene education workshop. The founding vice president of Women in Training, Inc., Ms. Mitchell helped develop the WIT Menstrual Hygiene Education program in 2019.
"This is really heartwarming to experience," Ms. Mitchell said. "In my day, it was a taboo to speak about the menstrual cycle and the 'particulars of a woman.' Thanks to Women in Training, Inc., mothers and their girls are engaging in workshops to openly discuss the natural process of menstruation."
“Inflation has made everything more costly, including period products, so it is now more important than ever that we continue to give away WITKITS to girls who need them every month,” said Adeyela Bennett, President and CEO of Women In Training. “Girls and their parents should not have to decide between food, rent and their menstrual hygiene, and that’s why we provide not only menstrual products but other items like toothpaste, toothbrushes and soap in the WITKITS. We also think it’s important to educate girls and young women about holistic menstrual health so they understand what is happening and what to do when that special time of the month arrives.”
Before the Airmen from the Alabama Air National Guard distributed the WITKITS, Dr. Barber-Owens, a Montgomery internal medicine specialist and WIT Women of Excellence honoree; and Ms. Samuels-Gilchrist, a health and wellness coach who authored the “The WIT Guide to the Menstrual Cycle” with WIT past president Dr. LaToya Clark, spoke to girls in 3rd through 5th grades about lessons in the guide.
“Our young ladies need to be taught about menstrual hygiene to demystify it and to help them feel comfortable and knowledgeable about their own bodies,” Dr. Barber-Owens said. "I was honored for the opportunity to impart knowledge to help the younger generation be more knowledgeable about their menstrual health than I was at their age. The girls and their moms were all so engaged in the dialogue!"
Nurse Educator Nyoka Samuels, MSN, RN, wholeheartedly agreed: "The energy was empowering and the young ones were glowing with excitement and intrigue! They asked great questions and were far more engaged than I expected. Our cups continue to overflow with the gratitude attitude in service. We MUST take this on the road to other youngsters in need!"
Chief Master Sergeant Mataya Williams, Command Chief, 187th Fighter Wing, Alabama Air National Guard, commended Women in Training, Inc. for implementing programs to create a society with menstrual equity. Chief Master Sergeant Williams said the airmen were honored to provide logistical support for the WIT Menstrual Hygiene Education workshop.
"As airmen, we live by the service before self core value." Chief Master Sergeant Williams said. "That service is not just for our armed forces, but service to our communities, as well. We have some of the best and brightest airmen in the force who pride themselves on their commitment to serve."
The following airmen from the 187th Fighter Wing, Alabama Air National Guard, supported the WIT Menstrual Hygiene Education workshop on May 1, 2024:
Staff Sergeant Jemuel Stubblefied
Staff Sergeant Candace Walters
Senior Airman Crystal Hinson
Airmen from the 187th Fighter Wing, Alabama Air National Guard, provided logistics support and spoke to 3rd through 5th grade girls about their rewarding careers in the armed forces.
Brooke Bennett, one of the twin teenage sisters who founded Women in Training, Inc. on their 12th birthday spoke to the girls in the workshop about why they started the organization.
"One in four American girls and young women skip school or miss work because they cannot afford sanitary pads to stay healthy and clean during their period," Miss Bennett said. "So we started WIT to help end period poverty so all girls can live happy and fulfilled lives."
Please enjoy the gallery of photos from the WIT Menstrual Hygiene Education workshop at Seth Johnson Elementary.
