WIT young leaders met with champions of ending period poverty in the
United States Congress
WASHINGTON – Women In Training, Inc. (WIT) will make its first distribution of WITKITS to underserved people in Washington, D.C. – at the Covenant House of Greater Washington – and met with Members of Congress this week. WITKITS provide menstrual products with dental and hygiene items to young, low-income people in need.
Congresswoman Grace Meng of New York chats in front of The U.S. Capitol with Brooke (holding WITKIT canvas bag of menstrual, dental and hygiene products) and Breanna Bennett, WIT co-founders, about period poverty as a national and global issue.
“Period poverty is a national issue that affects one out of every four girls and women,” said Dr. LaToya Clark, MD, who is the president and chairwoman of Women In Training, Inc. “WIT is going to Washington to raise awareness about period poverty and to provide menstrual and hygiene products to those who are most in need.”
Fifteen members of the WIT Leadership Development Circle, consisting of high school girls from Central Alabama who receive ongoing training on global issues, career options, financial literacy and a commitment to service, will pack the WITKITS at Procter & Gamble’s D.C. office. Procter & Gamble donated Always period products, Secret deodorant, Oral-B toothpaste, toothbrush and floss for the WITKITS Washington Giveaway.
“We are pleased to work with Women In Training to provide the products that girls and women need to live up to their fullest potential,” said Megan Ekstrom, Senior Manager, Global Government Relations and Public Policy for Procter & Gamble.
Angela Jones Hackley, CEO of Covenant House Greater Washington, said she was grateful for the generous donation of WITKITS.
“Girls who are experiencing homelessness need menstrual, dental and hygiene products to reach their full potential, and Women In Training is helping us fill this need,” said Hackley.
The WIT Leadership Development Circle also met with congressional leaders and champions on Capitol Hill who are committed to ending period poverty, including Rep. Terri Sewell (D-AL), Rep. Grace Meng (D-NY) and the Democratic Women’s Caucus.
Congresswoman Lois Frankel, Co-Chair of the Democratic Women's Caucus, speaks at The U.S. Capitol about the importance of young women serving in leadership positions to bring another perspective to the table. From left to right: Breanna Bennett, Congresswoman Terri Sewell of Alabama, Brooke Bennett, Congresswoman Frankel, and Congresswoman Grace Meng of New York.
WIT’s Washington, D.C., trip was made possible by a generous grant from the Southern Black Girls and Women’s Consortium, a nonprofit collective that works to channel funding resources toward organizations that intentionally support and empower Black girls and women.
“The Southern Black Girls and Women’s Consortium is honored to support Women In Training’s efforts to provide political education, community service and much-needed menstrual products for Black girls,” said LaTosha Brown, president of the Southern Black Girls and Women’s Consortium.
WIT Young Leaders at the Montgomery Airport as they depart for a weeklong STEM, Arts and Government Tour to the Nations Capital. The tour was generously sponsored by the Southern Black Girls and Women's Consortium.
Photo Credit: Stephanie McCorvey, WIT Vive President for Youth Development.
About Women In Training Inc.
Founded in 2019, WIT is a nonprofit organization that distributes WITKITS containing essential menstrual, hygiene and dental products to underserved youth in need. WIT has distributed more than 15,000 WITKITS to girls and women in need across Alabama. WITKITS include menstrual pads, soap, shampoo and conditioner, lotion, deodorant, socks, a journal and a hand-made bracelet with a positive message. Since the COVID-19 pandemic began two years ago, WITKITS have also included personal protective equipment, such as masks, gloves and bottles of WIT hand sanitizer.