BROCKPORT, N.Y. — The season of giving has begun as the year draws to a close. Between Thanksgiving and New Year’s Day, people typically give to those in need as a way to share holiday joy and make a positive impact in their community. While sweaters, toys and canned goods are donated in abundance, one basic category is often overlooked: feminine hygiene products.
Throughout the month of November, five student organizations from SUNY Brockport and the University of Rochester sought to tackle this problem. They held a donation drive for products such as cleaning supplies, tampons and new undergarments. Boxes were placed around both campuses for students to drop off items before being donated to Bethany House, a women’s shelter in Rochester.
SUNY Brockport senior Ariyana Feazell is a member of both Sigma Gamma Rho and Women of Color Empowerment Club, two of the drive’s organizing groups. As a new leader of her sorority, she wanted to develop a community service initiative that would enhance the lives of women; one of her organization’s main values.
“I want to be able to bless women and not have them worry about pads, tampons–just certain things that [are] a necessity,” Feazell said.
According to a report from the Joint Economic Committee, women pay 13% more for personal care products than men. Everyday items like razors, body wash and deodorant marketed towards women cost more on average than those marketed towards men, creating what’s known as the “pink tax.”
The City of Rochester currently has over 56,000 people living below the poverty line, meaning that the financial disadvantage caused by the pink tax puts even more of a strain on local impoverished women.
“Something as small as collecting toiletries, cleaning supplies, self-care products—it alleviates some of the stress that women might be going through at this time,” Feazell said.
To combat this issue, she collaborated with the Theta Omicron chapter of the Omega Psi Phi fraternity at the University of Rochester. Later, they also joined forces with SUNY Brockport’s Men of Color (MOC) and Women of Color Empowerment Club and the University of Rochester’s Minority Male Leadership Association and Women’s Leadership Alliance.
With so many organizations working together on this hygiene drive, the hope was to bridge any gaps in resources and marketing. SUNY Brockport MOC President Carlos Clark understands the benefit of this joint effort.
“As a student leader, I feel like I recognize voices that are underrepresented, especially when it comes to women of color,” Clark said. “Just because we [MOC] don’t serve that specific community doesn’t mean that we don’t care about them.”
The Second Vice Basileus of Omega Psi Phi at the University of Rochester, Johari Hemphill, agrees with Clark. To him, part of being a strong leader is supporting all members of the community.
“Our community’s made up of not just men but women as well,” Hemphill said. “What better way to [be an advocate] than [by] collaborating with not just other men but also with sororities and leaders at the forefront that understand those issues?”
Hemphill’s fraternity, along with the rest of the collaborating organizations, also hosted a discussion about modern day relationships and gender roles to promote further dialogue about women’s issues.
Although the primary goal was to empower local women through this initiative, Carlos Clark and the rest of MOC were equally as moved by giving back to the Rochester community.
“It makes me feel inspired and appreciative that there are organizations that really care and are listening to other people,” said Clark. “There’s not a lot of people who see the value [in] doing this type of work. I think it really starts with leadership, just getting students to recognize they have more power than just creating events.”
In the end, over three boxes full of hygiene products were collected for the women at Bethany House. With the holidays quickly approaching, the student leaders hope that their efforts will motivate others to do the same.
“I would hope that this drive would encourage people to get out there and take part in community service initiatives,” Ariyana Feazell said. “I know I’ve always found joy in giving back.”
As this donation drive reminds us, the little things can make a much larger impact. The season of giving is not just about making a difference in your community but also about empowering yourself to create change.
