EmpowHER Rhode Island

Period poverty is closer than you think.

Pads, tampons, and basic hygiene products are not covered by SNAP or WIC. For millions of women, that means choosing between essentials every month.

16.9M

menstruating people in the U.S. live in low-income or poverty-stricken households.

2 in 3

low-income women have struggled to afford basic menstrual products.

1 in 4

teens have missed out or gone without because they lacked the products they needed.

Figures as commonly reported by the Alliance for Period Supplies and national period-poverty research.

what we do

Access, advocacy, and empowerment.

What started as one student's hygiene drive is growing into a movement across Rhode Island campuses and communities.

Hygiene drives

Collecting pads, tampons, wipes, and personal care items, then packing them into care bags for women who need them most.

Advocacy

Showing up at the State House, learning the legislation, and pushing for policy that makes hygiene products accessible to all.

Community support

Partnering with local organizations that serve women experiencing homelessness and poverty right here in Rhode Island.

Future leaders

Training students to lead chapters, run events, and raise awareness on their own campuses.

"I've dedicated my time to helping others, particularly advocating for equal access to hygiene products for women."

Addison Zakur

Founder, EmpowHER Rhode Island
Social Work major, Political Science and Women's, Gender & Sexuality Studies minors

our story

The little things do make an impact.

EmpowHER began in 2025 when founder Addison Zakur, then a freshman Social Work major, turned a high school tradition of community drives into something bigger: a mission to make sure no woman in Rhode Island goes without basic hygiene products.

Feb 2025

Our first hygiene drive

Partnering with a campus Social Work Club to collect pads, tampons, wipes, and more for Crossroads Rhode Island, which provides mobile showers and essentials to people experiencing homelessness.

Mar 2025

Advocacy at the State House

Attending NASW-RI's LEAD event at the Rhode Island State House to learn how to advocate and follow the legislation that affects the women we serve.

Apr 2025

Care bags delivered

Every donation, packed into goodie bags with handwritten notes of encouragement, delivered to Crossroads Rhode Island.

Fall 2026

College chapters launch

EmpowHER goes campus-wide, starting with our founding chapter at the University of Rhode Island.

chapters

This is more than a chapter. It's a movement.

We're bringing hygiene access, advocacy, and empowerment directly to students and communities, one campus at a time.

Active

University of Rhode Island

Our founding college chapter, led by the 2026 URI E-board. Events for the semester are in the works.

Follow @empowheruri →

Coming soon

More Rhode Island campuses

New chapters are forming for Fall 2026. Follow along for announcements as they launch.

Follow @empowher_ri →

Now recruiting

Start one at your school

We're looking for passionate, driven students to become founding chapter leaders. No experience required, just passion and purpose.

Apply to lead a chapter

EmpowHER chapters will:

Host hygiene drives
Advocate for policy change
Support local communities
Build future leaders
Create events and awareness

get involved

Any contribution, big or small.

Your generosity brings hope, dignity, and comfort to women across Rhode Island. Here's how to help.

Donate products

Drop off or ship hygiene essentials for our next round of care bags.

Arrange a donation

Host a drive

Run a collection at your school, office, team, or place of worship. We'll help you set it up.

Plan a drive

Start a chapter

Bring EmpowHER to your campus and lead the movement at your school.

Apply now

Partner with us

Local businesses and organizations: sponsor a drive or match donations.

Get in touch

PadsTamponsLinersWipesDeodorantSoap & body washToothbrushes & toothpasteShampooUnderwear (new)

Hygiene is a right, not a luxury.