Meet Zahra Johnson - WGC Feminine Hygiene Product Drive Student Intern

This week is Period Poverty Week, and we are here to tell you that Period Poverty is real. 

Did you know that 29% of girls miss school due to lack of supplies needed, 39% cannot provide period products for themselves, and some are forced to use towels and plastic instead of proper supplies?

It's true. The reality is, half of the population menstruates.

To help alleviate Period Poverty, the Women's Giving Circle of Howard County hosts an ongoing WGC Feminine Hygiene Product Drive, where we are bringing in needed supplies for women and girls in Howard County.

​And, we have wonderful student interns who are supporting our efforts because they feel strongly that no fellow student should have to miss school, work, or daily life activities because they are unable to afford the basic necessities they require.

During Period Poverty Week we are honored to profile our student intern Zahra Johnson who is helping to lead the charge - here's what she had to say about being a part of the Women's Giving Circle:

We are so excited you are working with the WGC this year! Tell us a little about yourself.

• Hi, I’m Zahra! I’m 16 years old and I go to Oakland Mills High School. 

What interested you in specifically working on the WGC's Feminine Hygiene Product Drive?

• I would like to learn more about feminine care and hygiene because it ties into what I want to do growing up, which is nursing - learning how to better help and take care of women’s health because I know some people don’t know how to care for us.

What is the most interesting thing you've learned so far about women's philanthropy and giving to programs that benefit women and girls?

• One facts that I’ve learned in my class is that women and girls reinvest an average of about 90 percent of their income in their families, which compared to a 30 to 40 percent reinvestment rate for men. 

We are so fortunate to have Jess investing her volunteer time, energy, ideas, and wisdom as a WGC Student Intern focusing on our Feminine Hygiene Product Drive - thank you Zahra!

"The WGC has chosen to continue our focus on this important issue because it's a need that is easily and often overlooked" said Paula Seabright, WGC's Feminine Hygiene Product Drive Chair. "It's time to break the cycle of period poverty and along with our incredible student interns, we invite our community to join with us."

Learn more about getting involved in the WGC's Feminine Hygiene Product Drive here

---