This week we are talking to Jennifer Eden , the Co-Founder of Tampon Tribe. Yes, you heard that right. We are featuring an AMAZING subscription service that caters to those who are in need of monthly feminine hygiene products. We are going there, we are talking about periods this week. Tampon Tribe is a Southern California based startup that is shaking up the period industry by creating a product that is meeting certified organic standards, taking out all the chemicals found in traditional feminine hygiene products and making sure tampons and pads are accessible to all women.
In the developed world, the idea of going without a basic need type product such as tampons or pads seems almost unthinkable. Yet, for those who live in poverty, lack of access to menstrual health care is a hindering reality. Going beyond the hindrance, poor menstrual hygiene can be deadly. It has been linked to high rates of cervical cancer in places like India as well as in other developing countries where infections are caused by use of unwashed rags are rampant. In the states, women who are homeless or incarcerated face similar risks when they can’t access or afford sanitary products.
In many places, periods are often stigmatized. This is often due to lack of awareness and education about the basics of menstruation. There is a widely held belief in parts of India that menstruation makes women “impure,” women and girls on their periods are not allowed to take on household tasks like cooking, nor are they allowed to be in public spaces. In some instances, may not even be allowed in their own homes. In some of the most extreme examples, women and girls on their period have to wait out the time in isolation, in a hut at the edge of their villages.
In many places, periods are often stigmatized. This is often due to lack of awareness and education about the basics of menstruation. There is a widely held belief in parts of India that menstruation makes women “impure,” women and girls on their periods are not allowed to take on household tasks like cooking, nor are they allowed to be in public spaces. In some instances, may not even be allowed in their own homes. In some of the most extreme examples, women and girls on their period have to wait out the time in isolation, in a hut at the edge of their villages.
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| Images courtesy of Tampon Tribe |
When looking at this from a global perspective, many women and girls do not have access to feminine hygiene products to use when they are on their periods. In places such as Southeast Asia and Africa as well as women in the US who live below the poverty line. The cost of tampons and pads is often prohibitive and items like food and other basic needs are prioritized. Often sanitary products are simply just not available. In fact, the food stamp programs in most US states do not even consider menstrual hygiene products as “essential items”.
Beyond access, the chemicals used in feminine hygiene products are a major pain point. American women spend well over $2 billion per year on feminine hygiene products. The average woman will end up using more that 16,800 tampons and pads over her lifetime. Yet, despite this there has been very little research on the potential health risks that the chemicals used within the products may pose to women.
This is where Tampon Tribe comes in. They are a team of international women who all call SoCal home. They are passionate about eliminating all of the crap that’s in everyday tampons and pads and bringing their users organic products that don’t cost the earth and won't leave them worrying about what they are putting inside their bodies. The team also seriously hates plastic. They believe there should be no single use plastic when there doesn’t need to be. So Tampon Tribe doesn't use any. They are Certified Organic, have GOTS and ICEA certification as well. Their products are toxin free, hypoallergenic, chemical free, and made with 100% organic cotton.
One of the major missions of Tampon Tribe is being accessible to all women. They are working to make organic tampons and pads affordable and accessible for everyone. They do everything they can to keep their prices as low as possible. They also work to ensure their brand is socially responsible. For every month bought, they give a day pack of feminine hygiene to homeless women on the streets. They are also creating empowering opportunities to become a part of their team by employing people who haven’t had the same access to education or opportunity in their community. They believe that underserved populations need our help, and they are a better brand thanks to them.
If you are looking to be inspired, learn more about companies who are working within a socially responsible business model or want to learn more about how Tampon Tribe is shaking up the period industry, give this episode a listen.
Just hit the play button for the full interview
PODCAST: Play in new window | Download
Listen and subscribe via iTunes
Just hit the play button for the full interview
PODCAST: Play in new window | Download
Listen and subscribe via iTunes
This episode falls right in line with our Annual Giving Issue which drops today and is highlighting brands, organizations and individuals making a positive impact on their community. If you are interested in reading about more companies and people who are working to make a differnce in the Chicago community and beyond, you can pick up the latest issue of Halfstack HERE.
I hope you enjoyed this latest episode of Halfstack
Highlights. If you are interested in learning more about Tampon Tribe and place an order, visit them online at www.tampontribe.com. While you are online
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Jen Lezan | Editor-in-Chief
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