More than 200 items collected for women’s health donation drive

Medical students lead a women's health and hygiene presentation at McKemie Place, a shelter that provides a safe environment for women.

To support women facing menstrual health inequities, more than 200 feminine hygiene products and personal protective equipment were given to residents of McKemie Place and Penelope House, shelters that provide a safe environment for women.

The donation drive was hosted by the USA College of Medicine’s OB-GYN Interest Group. All donations were from USA Health and the USA College of Medicine’s students, faculty and staff.

With the goal of empowering the community with knowledge and understanding of women's health, students of the interest group also led a women's health and hygiene presentation at McKemie Place the last weekend in January. They discussed topics such as menstruation, menopause and mental health.

“The residents of McKemie Place were engaging and asked questions regarding their health. It was a wonderful couple of hours of ‘girl talk,’” said Rennan Zaharias, community service chair of the OB-GYN Interest Group. “Feminine hygiene products are expensive, and the lack of access to them has only been exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. We are honored to be able to advocate for women in the Mobile community who may be suffering from period poverty.”

The OB-GYN Interest Group is a part of an international organization called PERIOD, which aims to end period poverty through service, leadership and education.