Who We Are

The PERIOD Mission

PERIOD is a youth-fueled nonprofit that strives to eradicate period poverty and stigma through service, education, and advocacy. Through the distribution of menstrual products, promotion of youth leadership, and championing of menstrual equity in policy, PERIOD aims to center those disproportionately affected by period poverty and support local efforts for menstrual equity.

Our Global Network

PERIOD is composed of hundreds of youth chapter members, grassroots organizers, service partners, and a network of partner organizations and companies. To learn more, visit our Get Involved page to find out which partnership is the right fit for you.

Photo Credit to Beatrice Domingo

About Us

PERIOD. was founded in 2014 by Nadya Okamoto and Vincent Forand, two high school students in Portland, Oregon. Proudly youth-led for the next six years, the organization grew to hundreds of volunteer chapters around the nation and world. In 2020, with Vincent already moved on to other endeavors, PERIOD separated from Nadya Okamoto, and grew in staff capacity and Board governance, hiring a new Executive Director and senior leadership. Ensuring that programming centers youth activists and BIPOC voices, a Youth Advisory Council was added to organizational leadership. Today, PERIOD’s headquarters are still located in Portland, OR with additional warehouse facilities in Tennessee, and staff located throughout the US. PERIOD annually distributes millions of menstrual products for free to people in need, and helps support a network of hundreds of PERIOD chapters, youth-led organizations and product distribution partners.

Changes at PERIOD

PERIOD has undergone many changes this year and is continuing to take steps to create a more inclusive and representative organization. PERIOD has retained Dragonfly Partners to assess how we got to this place, which includes a review of our programs and communications. We appreciate those who are working to hold us to account. Below is a preliminary report from Dragonfly Partners.

Dragonfly Partners Report

News

Almost A Quarter Of Students Struggle To Access Period Products, New Study Finds

Forbes

1 in 10 college women face period poverty, a study shows. Here’s what that means.

The Lily/Washington Post

Bay Area teenager taking on 'period poverty' in San Mateo County schools

SF Chronicle

Hilary Duff and Period Activists Are Fighting to Normalize the Convo Around Menstruation

Popsugar

Six Menstrual Equity Activists Break Down Best Practices in Period Activism

Ms. Magazine

The Menstrual Justice Activists Fighting To End Period Poverty By Making Period Action Day A Reality

Forbes

Period Poverty Is Getting Worse During the Pandemic

Teen Vogue

Activists call on Education Department to take action for ‘menstrual equity’

The Washington Post

Our Team

Michela Bedard

Executive Director

Damaris Pereda

National Programs Director

Dara Wilk

Development Director

Ameer Abdul

Campaign Manager

Blaise Albis-Burdige

Data Engineer & Webmaster

Kate Barker Swindell

Service & Operations Manager

Emma Craven

National Chapter Coordinator & NW Regional Coordinator

Nicky Dawkins

SE Regional Coordinator

Maya Foxall

Communications Manager

Olivia Jenkinson

Service Associate

Eira Nylander Torallas

National Network Manager

Anusha Singh

Campaign Lead

2020-2022 Youth Advisory Council Cohort

The Youth Advisory Council is a governance committee tasked with supporting the work of PERIOD by providing insight and advice to PERIOD’s programs and strategy. The group consists of 12 activists, ages 14-25, who meet bi-monthly to tackle essential questions and provide strategic advice to PERIOD staff and Board of Directors. Council Members are the voice and face of PERIOD's youth activists, and will ensure that the voices and diversity of young activists are heard and represented in PERIOD’s decision making and program design.

All Youth Advisory Council seats are currently filled, but please stay tuned for more information and availabilities