Jenn Kiely, a Plymouth mom, became a Family Advocate in September of 2021 at Head Start. By November, while researching programs for the families she supports, Jenn stumbled upon a flyer for the Plymouth Resource Center stating that they were giving out free menstrual supplies. It didn't take Jenn long to learn about period poverty - the idea that one in five low-income women report missing work, school, or similar events due to lack of access to period supplies.
That is when Jenn demanded action - and threw herself into finding a resolution for her local community - and started The Lady Locker! She immediately recruited her daughter Emalee Duggan (who witnessed period poverty first hand when she heard school nurses discussing the need for period products in school) and her co-advocate and friend Nancy Shepherd. They both jumped right in - and that's when the magic started to happen!
They began by creating an Amazon wish list, a Target registry, and a fundraiser on Facebook. People were so happy to give to this cause, and the donations just kept coming in. Jenn, Nancy, and Emalee had successfully created a place where low-income families and girls in need could access products at no cost, through community and business donations. They even caught the eye of Kenzie Blackwell (the founder of Free. - pronounced "Free, period.") who immediately partnered with The Lady Locker and provided monthly donations to 70 families. Subsequently, the trio got invited by Kenzie to a "period packing party" at The Collective Co in Scituate, where strangers gathered to bag up menstrual products for different organizations throughout the South Shore. The Lady Locker was beginning to feel the love from - and so much gratitude for - the community support!
The Lady Locker has been working to get the word out through social media, word of mouth, and the help of family and friends. They currently distribute products to Plymouth North High School, Pilgrim Academy, The Plymouth Boys and Girls Club and South Shore Early Education and Head Start. They are hoping to start distributing to Plymouth South High School, as well as Silver Lake Regional Middle School and High School in the near future!
Please spread the love and, if you can, donate to this amazing organization doing so much good in our local community! You can also follow them on Facebook and Instagram!
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When visiting events and local businesses, be sure to tell them Macaroni KID sent you... and don't forget to tell all your friends!
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