Episode 015: Fighting Period Poverty in Grand Rapids, Michigan with Christine Mwangi

The Days for Girls Podcast

Christine Mwangi is a social change agent, global citizen and founder of Be A Rose, Inc.: a nonprofit tackling period poverty in Grand Rapids, MI. Be A Rose, Inc is on a mission to connect local women and girls with sustainable period products (including those made by DfG!) and health education at zero cost – through partnerships with local orgs, schools and more. They distribute around 60,000 pads per year, including 1,000-2,000 each month to underserved menstruators via food banks.

In this episode, Christine shares the joys and challenges of leaving the business world to tackle period poverty; what inspired her to fight for menstrual equity in Grand Rapids; the inspiration and impact of Be A Rose; and so much more!

Highlights:

• What inspired Christine to leave her pharmacist career to start her nonprofit, Be A Rose, Inc.
• Challenges faced by menstruators in Grand Rapids, MI, and what Be A Rose is Christine’s team is doing to address them
• What it means to “be a Rose” – the inspiration behind the namesake
• How Christine found the confidence, savvy and motivation to strike out on her own to help change the world
• The importance of prioritizing eco-friendly menstrual solutions where possible, and why Be A Rose decided to “go green” this year by promoting environmentally conscious products

Connect:

Website: www.bearose.org

Instagram/Facebook: @bearosetoday

Bio:

Christine Mwangi is a change agent and global citizen who has utilized her entrepreneurial background to establish Be A Rose, Inc., a charitable organization helping educate hundreds of marginalized women on critical health matters. A global citizen who has lived, worked, and been educated in Africa, Europe and North America, she has a bachelor’s degree from Towson University and master of pharmacy from the University of Manchester in the United Kingdom.

Support the Show.

Please support us at daysforgirls.org