Period poverty is ending in Alabama thanks to 2 local organizations—find out how

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Women in Training, Inc.’s transport vehicle visits low-income communities in Alabama. (Women in Training, Inc.)

Did you know that one in four girls and young women in the U.S. skip school or miss work because they can’t afford period products?

With the help of Alabama twin sisters, the Montgomery-based nonprofit, Women in Training, Inc. (WIT) was created with one goal—to end period poverty. 

Read on to learn about the organization, the American Red Cross’ role in supporting its mission and how you can get involved. 

Meet the Alabama teens behind WIT

Brooke and Breanna Bennett, co-founders of Women in Training, Inc. (Women in Training, Inc.)

If you think you have to be an adult to make an impact, Alabama high school twin sisters Brooke and Breanna Bennette will prove you wrong.

According to WIT’s website, right before their 12th birthday in 2019, the sisters learned that there are girls who “spot” on their clothing because they cannot afford period products. Saddened by this information, they started WIT to help alleviate period poverty for young girls and women in Alabama.

The sisters have been invited to the White House several times and were honored as 2024 CNN Heroes Young Wonders at an internationally televised event on December 8.

About Montgomery-based nonprofit WIT

Women in Training is a Montgomery-based nonprofit in Alabama. (Women in Training, Inc.)

WIT is a youth empowerment organization that advocates for menstrual equity and education and engages girls and nonbinary youth, ages 10-18, in community service and social justice. 

WIT helped create Alabama’s “period poverty” law, which allocates $200,000 to the Alabama Department of Education to provide grants for menstrual products to students in Title I Schools. Governor Kay Ivey signed the bill into law in April 2022.

Interesting fact: Alabama is the seventh state in the nation to have a mandate to give free period products to students.

WIT’s signature program, WITKITS, helps alleviate period poverty among the 25% of American young people who skip school or miss work because they cannot afford menstrual products. 

The program does this by providing monthly donations of WITKITS to:

• At-risk girls
• Low-income women
• Nonbinary youth

Check out the photo below for what each WITKIT includes.

The list of products included in each WITKIT. (Women in Training, Inc.)

American Red Cross’ involvement with WIT

American Red Cross donated a transport vehicle to WIT, Inc. to help them serve more Alabama communities. (Women in Training, Inc.)

The American Red Cross is known for its commitment to helping those facing emergencies by providing disaster relief, blood supply, health and safety services and more.

American Red Cross has created a new Adaptation Community program to support WIT’s mission to end period poverty. It provides women’s menstrual products to individuals experiencing disaster emergencies, homelessness and poverty.

“Women In Training does a great job of providing healthcare service to women and girls in the community to cut down on missed work and school days.

They also provide invaluable leadership education for young girls through their leadership academy. This training also serves to strengthen the community.”

Shannon Randolph, Community Adaptation Program Manager, American Red Cross

What’s also exciting is that American Red Cross donated a transport vehicle to WIT to expand its reach and provide more products to underserved communities in Alabama.

“American Red Cross is now partners with WIT, and we will continue to support each other to increase our reach in the community.”

Shannon Randolph, Community Adaptation Program Manager, American Red Cross

How you can get involved with WIT, Inc.

WITKITS are provided to at-risk girls, low-income women and nonbinary youth in Alabama. (Women in Training, Inc.)

Interested in helping WIT? Here are three ways to get involved:

1. Follow WIT on Facebook + Instagram for info on special needs requests + more.

2. Visit WIT’s event page.

Here are two upcoming events to plan for:

• Mother Daughter Brunch
  • When: Saturday, March 1, 2025 | 11AM-2PM
  • Where: Renaissance Montgomery Hotel and Spa, 282 Bibb St, Montgomery, AL 36104
  • Details

• Annual WIT 5K to End Period Poverty
  • When: Sunday, March 2, 2025 | 7-9AM
  • Where: Montgomery Whitewater, 1100 Maxwell Blvd, Montgomery, AL 36104
  • Details

3. Donate to WIT.

You can also donate to the American Red Cross to help them continue their partnership with WIT.

To learn more about Women in Training, Inc. and to get involved, visit their website now.

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