‘This isn’t a Title I issue; it’s a girl issue’: National Coalition of 100 Black Women hosts feminine hygiene drive
HUNTSVILLE, Ala. (WHNT) — The Greater Huntsville Chapter of the National Coalition of 100 Black Women is playing its part in providing daily necessities for those in need. Wednesday was the culmination of its Second Annual Feminine Hygiene Products Drive.
In February, News 19 sat down with the Greater Huntsville Chapter President Robin Drake. She shared details about their purpose to advocate for young girls and women who cannot advocate for themselves. These areas often center around health, education, and economic empowerment.
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Wednesday, 20-thousand feminine hygiene items were distributed across North Alabama by the NCBW; doubling last year’s contribution to local schools and students in need. The drive is meant to help female students feel more comfortable attending school when dealing with natural processes.
School systems stretching as far out as Limestone and Morgan County came to the Dr. Richard Showers Center to pick up free feminine hygiene products for their schools.
Drake says they began the drive after learning about a House bill that Governor Kay Ivey signed in 2022. It created a grant program for Title One schools to provide feminine hygiene products to female students free of charge.
But Drake says this isn’t a Title I issue, it’s a girl issue.
“We were surprised that even in Madison County when we were speaking to some of the nurses that a lot of young ladies don’t have what they need to feel comfortable and complete school,” said Drake. “Our young ladies are going into schools and they’re skipping school or not going to school because they don’t have feminine hygiene products which we feel like is a medical necessity, with NCBW.
Maquita Cawthorn stopped by the Richard Showers Center to pick up supplies for ASFL Middle School. She tells News 19 that this drive is a great need in North Alabama.
“It’s good to have this to help them out because we have run into situations where we have had to call around to get things to help some of our girls that had accidents or didn’t have the proper hygiene utensils to take care of themselves,” shared Carthorn. “This is perfect and I pray they continue to do this for our girls around the neighborhood.”
The drive was also opened to the public at noon for families in need to come and pick up items.
NCBW tells News 19 it’s working on setting up a closet at the Richard Showers Center for the community to pick up personal hygiene items when needed.
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