Three Oxford ladies, Betty Bloom, Kate Roos and Toni Joyer, have joined forces to openly discuss a female hygiene issue that so many individuals would rather choose to ignore. Their 501(c)(3) organization, Dignity Period Oxford (recently founded) supports access to feminine hygiene products for all girls and women in the greater Oxford area. Steve Vassallo of HottyToddy.com crossed paths with the three wonderful activists right before Thanksgiving.
HottyToddy.com: Ladies, how was this idea/concept conceived?
Kate Roos, Treasurer: I was introduced to a similar project in Knoxville (TN) and brought the idea here to an interfaith group I was part of. That is how I met Betty and Toni shortly after I moved to Oxford last year. We soon discovered we had a shared interest in this issue. After consulting with some agencies to learn more about the problem, we decided to move forward here in Lafayette County.
HottyToddy.com: Why is this issue so important to you ladies?
Toni Joyer, Secretary: There is a great deal of shame and a stigma associated with female hygiene products such as tampons and pads. These items are expensive for families within the poverty levels. Here in Lafayette County, the poverty rate is 25.9 percent, which exceeds the national average. Food stamps cannot purchase these items. I believe our motto sums it up: “We believe all girls and women deserve dignity. PERIOD!”
HottyToddy.com: What is your goal for 2017?
Betty Bloom, President: We are just getting started. Making this issue aware as to the needs in our county is critically important. Men and women are uncomfortable talking about this subject as well as the level of poverty that exists here.
HottyToddy.com: How will you distribute the products?
Dignity.Period Co-Founders: We will utilize the schools and eight agencies that have been identified including Doors of Hope, More than a Meal, Department of Health and Oxford Medical Ministries. First Presbyterian Church has agreed to store inventory for us. Eventually, we want our outreach efforts to extend beyond Lafayette County.
HottyToddy.com: How many people have you already helped?
Dignity.Period Co-Founders: About one hundred or so. We have been focusing on younger women. The shame and embarrassment associated with not being able to afford these essential items has been documented in national studies, which show that girls stay home or women miss work up to four days each month. This obviously impacts their future opportunities.
HottyToddy.com: How can the community assist you?
Dignity.Period Co-Founders: An amount of $120 will cover an entire year of feminine hygiene products for one young lady. Readers can send donations to Dignity Period Oxford, 404 Lark Run Oxford 38655 or we can email you an invoice for credit card users by contacting us at dignity.period@gmail.com. Product donations are also welcome. We invite churches or civic groups to sponsor product drives, and we’d be glad to offer assistance in organizing campaigns.
HottyToddy.com: Have other organizations influenced your initiative?
Dignity.Period Co-Founders: In Memphis, Sister Supply is an organization we have become familiar with, and stories all across the country are beginning to appear in the press as the issue gains national attention.
HottyToddy.com: Why do you think our poverty rate is so high here?
Dignity.Period Co-Founders: The low wages and income from a service sector economy along with the high cost of living. For those without good employable skills, there are few opportunities to earn livable wages.
HottyToddy.com: What have you learned from the school nurses and other sources of information?
Dignity.Period Co-Founders: There is a serious need for these products for girls in school and women on low incomes. Interestingly, we have learned that some girls cannot even afford underwear, which disallows use of these products. Girls are maturing earlier even starting their period by fourth grade. One of our very first product deliveries was made to the middle school.
HottyToddy.com: Has Ole Miss gotten on board?
Dignity.Period Co-Founders: We have an intern, Megan Myers, who is assisting us greatly. Megan’s sorority (Kappa Alpha Theta) is gathering products in a year-long effort. We are optimistic this will spread to other sororities soon.
HottyToddy.com: What is the downside to what you are attempting to accomplish?
Dignity.Period Co-Founders: The awkwardness! We will soon be launching a video wherein “real men talk about it.” A public awareness campaign is essential to our future success. As we break down the stigma of talking about it, we can begin to erase the shame girls feel and accept the fact that periods are a normal biological function for all girls and women. We buy all kinds of hygiene products to stay healthy and have no problem talking about them, such as toothpaste and shampoo. We need to reach a point where we can add “pads and tampons” to our conversation without feeling awkward.
HottyToddy.com: It was brought to our attention that you have gotten very creative with this project.
Dignity.Period Co-Founders: Betty just experienced a very important birthday. Instead of birthday gifts, friends brought her feminine hygiene products. We filled an SUV with
products estimated at $500 in retail value.
HottyToddy.com: Is there any federal program that addresses this?
Dignity.Period Co-Founders: None that we are aware. The social isolation of this issue is deeply troubling. The unspoken nature of the problem impacting young girls is real. Local communities can make a difference.
HottyToddy.com: Do you have a website?
Dignity.Period Co-Founders: We are currently building one. However, your readers can find us on Facebook: Dignity Period Oxford.
What these three ladies are attempting to accomplish is tremendous. I was truly moved by their sincerity and passion. Success will truly come their way with Lafayette County being the primary beneficiary! Silence Is Golden….Sometimes!
Steve Vassallo is a HottyToddy.com contributor. Steve writes on Ole Miss athletics, Oxford business, politics and other subjects. He is an Ole Miss grad and former radio announcer for the basketball team. Currently, Steve is a highly successful leader in the real estate business who lives in Oxford with his wife Rosie. You can contact Steve at sovassallo@gmail.com or call him at 985-852-7745.
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