I have always been passionate about equality in education and the belief that every person should have the opportunity to attend school. While researching about education, I learned that girls in developing countries do not have the same access to education as I do, and I decided I wanted to do something about it. I also learned that young women do not have access to the supplies to manage their cycle because they are not widely available, too expensive and/or there is no area for waste disposal. Also, young women in certain countries do not have the same educational opportunities as young men because they are more likely to withdraw from their education due to family or having to work to provide extra income. In some communities, young women are often ostracized when menstruating and are confined to their homes.
What was your biggest hurdle and success while working on your project?
The greatest hurdle that I faced occurred when I was finalizing the kits. When constructing the kits, I realized that some of the holders were too short for the pads. However, I resolved the problem by communicating with the group that was sending the kits, and we devised a solution, postponing the date while I constructed new pads to fit the holders.
On the other hand, my greatest success was working with Girl Scout Junior and Cadette Troop 10184 to make the sanitary kit items. I was able to give the girls hands-on experience with a sewing machine, and in turn, they not only helped construct the kits, but they learned a valuable and practical life skill that they can use for the rest of their lives. I also think learning about the inequality in education that girls face worldwide gave them a new perspective and appreciate for their own education.
How do you plan to keep this project going?
My Gold Award project will be sustained beyond my involvement by the Waxhaw Baptist Church sewing group. They will continue to sew the menstrual kits. Additionally, after speaking to the ladies group at St. Dorothy's Catholic Church in Lincolnton, I learned that they also began sewing kits in July of 2017. I also plan to continue constructing kits myself.
What have you learned about yourself through the Gold Award process?
Because of my project, I have defined my passion for education and closing the gap between young men's and women's education in the world. In the future, I think I will only become more confident as a leader, as I am a better communicator, public speaker and teacher because of the Gold Award process.
I want to continue to support other women leaders in the future because I have learned the amazing impact women can have in the lives of other women. I want to empower others, and my project has allowed me to see that that solutions to tearing down barriers to women's success and education can be as simple as menstrual supplies.
Why do you think Girl Scouting is important for girls?
Although the first thing usually associated with Girl Scouts is the cookies, I view Girl Scouts as the community that provided me and millions of other girls an opportunity to learn lifelong skills and to express my passions.
Through Girl Scouts, I was privileged to meet women leaders who inspired me to want to become a leader within my own life. Girl Scouts has allowed me to connect with hundreds of girls- girls in my local community and girls from Kenya, Switzerland and Costa Rica. It has taught me all people have differing passions and backgrounds, who like myself, can contribute to shaping the world.
Girl Scouting helped me to see the potential within myself and within others, and because of my journey, I can now call myself an entrepreneur, advocate and leader. Based on my own experience, Girl Scouts allows girls to see themselves as difference-makers!
Abbey Blackburn is a senior at North Lincoln High School and has been active in Girl Scouts for 13 years.
will serve as Girl Delegates at the 62nd session of the Commission on the Status of Women at the United Nations in New York City this March.
Many girls do not have the necessary menstrual supplies to remain in school- they may miss many days of school or even drop out because their menstrual cycle prevents them from attending. I put together necessary, but discreet, sanitary kits that included pads, holders, disposable bags and underwear, thus making it feasible for girls to stay in school during their menstrual cycle.
