Students collect thousands of menstrual products for those in need

Third-year medical students Jessie Moore, Kaylee Hart and Taylor Coe led an effort to collect thousands of menstrual products and distribute them to women's shelters in the community.

Members of the OB-GYN and Jags Against Trafficking student interest groups at the Frederick P. Whiddon College of Medicine collected thousands of menstrual products for underserved women in the community. 

During the period product drive, Jan. 30 to Feb. 13, third-year medical students Jessie Moore, Taylor Coe and Kaylee Hart teamed together to reach out to local community partners for assistance in raising funds and awareness. Period product poverty is a global issue in which 1 in 4 women in the U.S. struggle to obtain menstrual products.

Donations totaled about 3,500 pads and liners, 2,000 tampons, 3,500 sanitary wipes, 500 pairs of underwear/diapers, 50 menstrual cups and more. The students distributed the products to three women’s shelters in the Mobile area that support women who are experiencing homelessness or escaping domestic violence or human trafficking.

“The response from our community was incredible, and it was very encouraging to see how many people were eager to be involved in the drive and learn more about women’s health,” Coe said. “The past few weeks have really highlighted the prevalence of period poverty in our city, and we are hopeful that this event will continue to uplift and inspire our community to spread awareness.”

The students also led a workshop on menstruation, menopause, preventative health and mental health at McKemie Place, an emergency shelter for homeless women. Women at the shelter learned about the health topics and shared their personal stories.

“Being able to help educate and discuss women’s health with the women at McKemie Place was such a rewarding experience,” Hart said. “Not only did we teach them, but they taught us how we, as future physicians, can be better about having open conversations about feminine hygiene and all of the other important aspects of women’s health.”

Moore said the group was amazed by the community’s generosity during the drive. “The overwhelming support for this drive was more than we could have imagined, and just saying ‘thank you’ is an understatement,” she said. “Spending time with the women of McKemie Place was eye-opening. We learned far more from them than they did from us, and I’m very grateful for this experience.”

The students thanked all donors, community partners and colleagues, especially these:

Mobile OB-GYN
Mobile Bay OB-GYN Center
Azalea City Physicians for Women
Eastern Shore Anesthesia
USA Health Children’s & Women’s Hospital
USA Health Strada Patient Care Center
USA Health University Hospital
Mobile Storm Volleyball Club (Team Storm National 16 Black)
Costco Wholesale
Frederick P. Whiddon College of Medicine