About the Founder

"My name is Reena Ramani, an 18-year-old freshman at Vanderbilt University. Growing up in an immigrant household, I was taught that menstruation was impure, debilitating, and something to be concealed. My grandmother often shared stories of her struggles with menstrual care in India, where such topics were taboo, and resources were scarce. For a long time, I believed these issues were issues of the past until I realized that period poverty still affects women and girls worldwide, even in the 21st century.

As I grew older, I began to feel the weight of cultural restrictions during my own menstrual cycle. I was told to avoid places of worship, silenced for discussing my period, and discouraged from physical activity. These practices framed menstruation as something to be ashamed of, but I eventually understood that menstruation is a natural and empowering part of being a woman, not something to be hidden or restricted.

This understanding deepened during my work with women in rural Zambia, where I learned about the barriers adolescent girls face due to a lack of menstrual care. Many miss 5-7 days of school each month, causing them to fall behind in their education and limiting their opportunities. Inspired by both my personal experiences and these stories, I founded Project Menstrual Equity in 2022. The initiative aims to provide girls with the resources they need to manage menstruation, stay in school, and pursue their goals without being held back by period poverty."