As a young girl growing up with a single father, I experienced a sudden and overwhelming shock when I got my first period. In the unfamiliar setting of my fifth-grade classroom, a sharp pain in my stomach caught me off guard. Dismissing it initially, I excused myself to the bathroom. There, I discovered blood in my underwear, a terrifying and confusing sight for an eleven-year-old. Overwhelmed by fear and unprepared for this new chapter of womanhood, I resorted to stuffing toilet paper in my underwear to conceal the bleeding. Days turned into a stressful ordeal until my father, with typical simplicity, returned from the store with my first pack of pads. Bewildered and lacking guidance, I had to figure out how to use them on my own. This experience ignited a passion within me to ensure other girls wouldn’t face the same challenges. PADS FOR GIRLS was born from this determination. Our mission is to provide not only essential sanitary products but also education, mentorship, and empowerment to young girls. We strive to help them reach their full potential without the obstacles posed by period poverty. Through your incredible support, we’ve made significant progress. Hundreds of girls have received sanitary pads, over 300 have benefited from our mentorship programs, and countless others have gained knowledge about menstrual health through our school and community partnerships. Yet, our work is far from finished. Many girls still lack access to basic menstrual hygiene resources and the support they need. We urge you to join us in breaking the cycle of period poverty. Your donations, volunteer hours, and advocacy can create a profound impact on the lives of these young women. Thank you for standing with us. Together, we can build a future where every girl has the opportunity to thrive.

Grace J. Clarke, BSN, MPH