In early January, while the College of Staten Island campus sat silent, for the most part, and only a few stray educators and campus staff and security were to be found on the frozen expanse of shrubbery, buildings, and paths, the CSI Women’s Center received an in-kind donation of 60 boxes of Ruby Love’s signature “Bliss” line of reusable period apparel in a wide range of sizes and styles and colors, with a retail value of over $1,800.

The cozy, and very warm in Wintertime, office of the Bertha Harris Women’s Center  is located in the North Campus in building 2N, room 106, right in the corner near the restrooms.

This donation of Reusable Menstrual Products was made by the Assertive Kids Foundation, as part of our Feminine Hygiene Help for Staten Island Women and Families  program. We have operated this program for a few years now, and we aim to serve individuals and families in our shared communities in need of assistance.

The Assertive Kids Foundation supports the work of the Women’s Center at the College of Staten Island, as well as the incredible educational institution that is City University of New York and all its campuses of higher learning. The CSI Women’s Center serves as a vital resource hub where students can access these essentials discreetly and with dignity, ensuring that ‘period poverty’ is one less barrier to their academic success.

While we have received donations of, and even purchased, many different brands and types of menstrual products for donation as part of our program over time, this particular donation to the College of Staten Island Women’s Center was comprised of Ruby Love brand period protection purchased by The Assertive Kids Foundation, exclusively.

Period Panties can replace hundreds of disposable pads/tampons over the product’s lifespan. Because these products are reusable for up to 2-3 years, this single donation of 60 pairs provides the equivalent of thousands of disposable products, saving students significant money and reducing landfill waste.

Ruby Love is a  period technology company founded by Crystal Etienne, a Black woman who serves as CEO. Their signature Bliss Collection features patented, leak-proof technology designed to provide “period freedom” without the need for plastics or disposable products.

Committed to social impact, Ruby Love works to end period poverty by donating products to young students and shelters, ensuring that a period never stands in the way of education or opportunity.

Their “Bliss” line uses a patented “Dri-tech” mesh pocket and absorbent liner that can hold up to 2.5 tampons’ worth of flow. This is an ecologically-sound alternative that also costs families less over time in purchase of monthly menstrual products.

To learn more about our Feminine Hygiene Help program or to support our next campus donation, visit Feminine Hygiene Help for Staten Island Women and Families.