For decades, talking about your period has been a taboo topic. It is as if discussing this natural process of our bodies was inappropriate in certain areas of society, and people would only be allowed to discuss it in the privacy of their homes. However, this is not what should be normal. Individuals should be able to talk about their periods, the emotions surrounding it, and what it means to get their period in this society without having to hide. That is why many advocates have raised their voices to end this issue. One of them is Nadya Okamoto, who fights to end period stigma.
Nadya Okamoto is a public figure, entrepreneur, author, and Harvard graduate who decided to revolutionize the world while reminding people periods are not taboo. How is she doing this? She decided to put her knowledge, expertise, and passion into work by creating a business that supports individuals and their periods and a non-profit organization to end period stigma. She’s 23 years old, and has so far founded her company, August, nonprofit, PERIOD, and published her debut book, PERIOD POWER.
In 2020, Okamoto founded August, a brand that gives personalized period care. Customers can purchase sustainable, ethical, and impactful tampons and pads at accessible rates. Their products are biodegradable, carbon-neutral, and tax-free. “We are working to reimagine periods to be powerful,” says the founder. “We are on a mission to identify and create solutions for more sustainable and impactful period care. Everything we do is with, by, and for our community.”
Today Show described August as “a growing online community aiming to reimagine and redefine the period experience to be powerful and dignified with members who engage in conversations about how to properly use menstrual cups or what it is like to be a transgender man having a period, for example.”
As an inclusive brand, August makes sure to highlight not only women get their periods — but they support “anyone who menstruates.” They create products for every individual because they believe in a world where all humans have their natural needs met with quality care. “We have spent the last year working to collectively democratize access to period health education, identify solutions for more sustainable and comfortable period products.”
Because educating our society is critical, Okamoto founded PERIOD, a global non-profit organization fighting to end period poverty and stigma through service, education, and advocacy. She founded this organization when she was 16 years old and led the nonprofit as executive director until January 2020. These three main tasks keep the organization going and help communities understand “period” is not a bad word.
- Service: they distribute free menstrual products to communities in need. People can get involved by donating products to help the cause.
- Education: they provide educational resources for menstruators and allies to explore intersectional approaches to menstrual equity. “Menstrual equity combats both period poverty and stigma. PERIOD empowers local activists with grassroots training and education to find an approach that is compatible with their community.”
- Advocacy: they fight for systemic change through policy and legislation. “PERIOD works with the fundamental ethic that period rights are human rights. We believe menstruators deserve safe and accessible period management products.”
No matter their gender identity or sexuality, nobody should be ashamed to talk about their periods or educate themselves on the issue. As a young advocate, Nadya Okamoto has been working to end this idea that periods should only be discussed in the privacy of one’s home. For that very reason, she put her resources and knowledge to work and created a brand and an organization that would help change how we view periods and period products. Nadya Okamoto fights to end period stigma daily and is supported by a community of young people trying to change the world.
