Meet Deidra Mwalimu

Meet Deidra Mwalimu, the founder of Network of Women NOW, a registered 501(c) (3) nonprofit organization. Network of Women NOW’s mission is to provide support to women and girls with basic human needs in vulnerable populations around the world. 

Network of Women NOW is combating period poverty with their Ubibi Bag by donating feminine hygiene products to women and young girls living in vulnerable populations. The Ubibi Bag helps to lessen the financial burden on women and their families. The most common definition of period poverty is the lack of access to menstrual products, hygiene facilities, and education due to financial constraint. The struggle to purchase menstrual products can cause girls to stay home from school and work, with long lasting consequences on their education and economic opportunities. In the U.S., more than 25 million women live in poverty, and most are food stamps recipients. However, food stamps doesn’t cover the cost of menstrual products. Because of this inability to purchase menstrual pads, women may be forced to use other substitute items like newspapers, toilet paper, socks, and plastic bags. 

In March 2023, NOW launched their End Period Poverty Fundraising Campaign for Women’s History Month. The End Period Poverty (EPP) Fundraising Campaign includes menstrual and feminine product supply drives, donation giveaways, a series of online events, and a fundraising event. Dallas Black Bloggers and Network of Women NOW are partnering for the EPP 2023 in Dallas to collect menstrual and feminine hygiene products for a local nonprofit organization called Self Reflection Girls and Women, Inc. This partnership has garnered participation from local Dallas business owners to host the supply drive and drop off locations. 

  We are currently working on donating feminine hygiene products to deliver to 5,000 students in Louisiana for the Fall 2023 semester.   The schedule to donate the supplies will occur on Friday, September 1, 2023, to Louisiana’s elementary and high school students. The purpose of these events is to give students an opportunity to start the semester off with basic needs.  As a result, students will be able to focus on classes with confidence to complete the academic year with positive experiences.  
            The effort of raising funds and supply donations will be used in these projects, in the implementation of future projects, and initiatives in Louisiana. Our financial goal is to raise $250K for this campaign to expand our reach into the community and Louisiana. Our vision of expanding NOW’s global community is one where women can network, share ideas, create collaborative partnerships, and develop economic opportunities that better their lives and the communities that they live in.

Network of Women NOW, Dallas Black Bloggers, our End Period Poverty activists/colleagues, and our political allies are all on board in a multi-pronged approach that includes pushing for the passage of legislation that will broaden access to the prescription, administering, and dispensing of FDA approved drugs for off-label use. "This bill (HB117) requires public schools in Louisiana to provide free and easy-to-access to menstrual products in bathrooms." https://www.shreveporttimes.com/story/news/education/2023/04/28/what-to-know-about-the-louisiana-bill-to-provide-period-products-in-schools/70159205007/

Flow chart describing the progress of Bill HB117.

The passage of this bill, while important, will not be enough without earmarking additional funds to support its compliance.
This is why your donations are so important.

Our work towards Ending Period Poverty will only cease when our efforts to normalize women's and girls' well-being, dignity, and inter-dependence have been encouraged, accepted, and systemically supported here in the United States and the entire world.
            Our successful impact translates to more than physical numbers: When well-funded, our grass-roots efforts will lead to the continual improvement, health, well-being, and financial freedom of girls and women in the United States and abroad. 

We thank everyone who has previously donated, and we know that the success of any fundraising campaign for the year of 2023 depends on YOU! 
            You can visit our website or click on the donate button to contribute. 
Please consider a gift today!