We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Astin N. Blount a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, Astin N. thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. If you had a defining moment that you feel really changed the trajectory of your career, we’d love to hear the story and details.

During August 2020 during the global pandemic, I was working a job as an Executive Assistant at an organization that supported and advocated for children in Washington, D.C. with special needs.

While I believe the organization is an extreme asset to the community, I felt as though I needed to be doing more. I had a feeling of emptiness.

I remember sitting at my desk, and asking myself, “Astin, what will make you fulfilled? How can I be a better support to people who look like me?”

I decided to take a coffee break to get some fresh air while I continued to ponder my thoughts. As I was walking, a young woman, who was around my age came up to me. By appearance, I assumed she was a bit underprivileged than I was. I thought she was going to ask me for money. However, she stopped me and asked me for a pad because she did not have money to purchase.

I did not have any at the time, so she and I had a short conversation as we walked to the local drugstore to purchase some. As she thanked me, she told me how much I blessed her. When I returned to my office, I sat in silence and then prayed, asking God to use me how He sees fit. I quickly reminisced about my grandmother, Dorothy A. Berry, who would provide young girls in my hometown of Reading, Pennsylvania, with pads, underwear, and hygienic items.

From that moment, my menstrual advocacy story began.

With the support of my family and friends, I held my first donation drive in October 2020. I was able to bring awareness of period poverty and lack of access. That drive has opened so many doors as well as conversations. Since then, Her Promise, Inc. has been able to donate over 6,000 items to local organizations, schools, and families in need.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

My full name is Astin N. Blount. I am a lover of all things good! I am a Christian. I want to highlight that because my religion has played a key role in who I am today!

I have a background in Social Sciences, with a double minor in African American History and Sociology, graduating from Cheyney University of Pennsylvania.

By day, I’ve been in the non-profit sector for the past 11 years, supporting C-Suite Executives as an Executive Assistant. After- hours, I put on my leadership hat as an Executive Director and Founder of my organization, Her Promise Inc.

Her Promise, Inc is a collective promise to the community, to provide menstrual care for those who do not have access to hygienic products or lack menstrual education. Her Promise, Inc. celebrates, advocates, and brings awareness to menstrual health for women of color. Her Promise Inc. helps to ensure a sufficient supply of period supplies along with raising awareness of the lack of products in underserved communities.

As of today, Her Promise Inc. has begun facilitating educational sessions for girls between the ages of 6-21, entitled: “How to Pamper Your Period.” Sessions include education on the menstrual cycle, application of how to properly wear a pad, and a conversation regarding their personal menstrual experiences while ensuring a safe and confident space for discussion. These interaction sessions come with materials, handouts, and giveaways.

Together, we must end period poverty and menstrual stigma throughout the community. Her Promise, Inc. advances menstrual equity, health, dignity, confidence, and opportunity.

What I am most proud of, is my ability to connect. I am a very outgoing person. I love to talk! I also love to learn as well. Having conversations about menstrual health and bringing awareness on a subject that is somewhat gender-based, can be a bit awkward and intimidating for some. I am proud of myself for breaking those taboos, stigmas, and myths while providing a safe space for both women and men.

We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?

A lesson that I had to unlearn is an ongoing lesson. It is to stop being fearful and truly believe that my type of advocacy is important.

Did you know that 2 out of 3 unserved girls report missing from school, work, or similar events due to lack of access to period supplies? Also, 79% feel that they lack proper education about menstrual health. Those numbers are very high!

To some, “Why do we need to learn about proper menstrual care? Why are you talking about periods?” In my opinion, to build a better society, we have to talk about the facts , not fiction, even if the conversations are a bit uncommon.

I was fearful at first that Her Promise, Inc. would be looked over because of the lack of resources (or so I thought) I did not have at one point. When I started to let go of “what others may think,” “what ifs,” and the thought of failure and began to understand that menstrual advocacy has such a POWERFUL voice – I became so secure in knowing that Her Promise, Inc. will be valued and well received.

And it has! My community understands HPI’s mission and values. And for that, I am thankful.

We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.

When talking about Women’s Reproductive Health, the topic of menstrual health gets overlooked.

While I do believe abortions, family planning and contraception, maternal and perinatal health, HIV linkages with sexual and reproductive health, and fertility care are extremely important, there is a need for menstrual health awareness to be brought in.

I was in a classroom setting before, and a young girl asked me why learning about menstrual health is so important. It had me thinking about my upbringing. I was so grateful that my sisters and I had parents who were very vocal about the do’s and don’ts of a menstrual cycle, but it made me think of the people who are not that fortunate. How do we fill in that gap?

I want to challenge legislation on local, state, and national levels to have mandated properly educated courses for menstruators regarding puberty, “what to expect,” and how to navigate life with a cycle. I want this conversation to be mandatory in classrooms, and places of worship, EVERYWHERE.

Her Promise, Inc. wants to normalize talking about periods both inside and outside of the home. We will end period poverty, together!

Contact Info:

• Instagram: @her__promise
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/astin-n-b-0a42685a/