We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Poojitha Palaniswamy. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Poojitha below.
Hi Poojitha, thank you so much for opening up with us about some important, but sometimes personal topics. One that really matters to us is overcoming Imposter Syndrome because we’ve seen how so many people are held back in life because of this and so we’d really appreciate hearing about how you overcame Imposter Syndrome.
Everyone struggles with some imposter syndrome when they start, but for five high school girls making posts from our computers at home and working with other kids, it was easy to feel as if we didn’t have the true capability to make a difference. We weren’t experts. We didn’t have massive platforms or years of experience.
Lots of people will advise you to simply believe in yourself, but that’s easier said than done. So, we had a different approach. Every time we felt as if our small wins were just luck or that we couldn’t achieve the greats, we made it a point to prove ourselves wrong. Over time, this grew to become a ladder of goals with more intensive steps and incredible outcomes. Even today, as we look back on our achievements, we are in disbelief. But the support from the people around us—the ones who’ve followed our journey, shared our posts, and engaged in our events—reminds us of our true impact. Not only do we see a decrease in the stigma in the direct community around us, but our supporters have always made us feel that anything is possible.
To anyone who may be experiencing imposter syndrome, no one is going to tell you that you can do it, and most likely, even if they do, you won’t believe them. So just put in the work, and the results will show you otherwise. You might surprise yourself—just like we did.
Appreciate the insights and wisdom. Before we dig deeper and ask you about the skills that matter and more, maybe you can tell our readers about yourself?
Power Your Flow is a student-led initiative dedicated to raising awareness for period poverty, breaking the stigma around menstruation, and helping those in need of sanitary supplies. Period poverty is a global issue defined as the lack of access to menstrual products, hygiene facilities, and education. Globally, the World Bank estimates that 500 million females lack access to adequate facilities for menstrual hygiene management. In developing regions such as sub-Saharan Africa, unsafe materials like paper, old clothes, or leaves are used instead of proper menstrual products. Even developed nations such as the United States struggle with period poverty. A national survey revealed that women often struggle to afford products and miss school because of their period. These shocking statistics made us realize that we had to do our part in fighting period poverty, which is how Power Your Flow came to be.
Over the past eight months, we have managed to raise just over $600 for our cause. Through fundraisers, social media campaigns, TV channels, and conventions, we’ve reached over 1,500 people in person and 100,000 online. We’ve also donated 3,700 pads and 50 care packages across the Tampa area.
What’s most exciting about Power Your Flow is the collective passion that drives us. We are not just raising awareness; we are making a difference in people’s lives. From breaking period stigma and distributing products to hosting bold events and global talks, we’re empowering communities to take action and changing the conversation around menstrual health.
In the future, we hope to take this to an international level by partnering with global organizations and expanding our reach to major developing areas. Additionally, we plan to take our fight to lawmakers and push for legislative change. Our goal is to eliminate the tampon tax and make period products free and accessible for all.
Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?
Looking back, the three qualities that had the greatest impact on our journey were empathy, resourcefulness, and advocacy. Being able to understand and speak on behalf of so many women has been a true privilege—one we strive to use to the greatest extent.
Through empathy, we connected with the hearts and minds of many, sharing stories that highlighted the challenges women face due to period poverty. These conversations and our ongoing presentations allowed us to advocate for change, raise awareness, and stand in solidarity with women experiencing both poverty and stigma.
From countless Instagram posts to segments on RHStv, our efforts reached over 100,000 people. This helped us create a safe environment online that encourages people beyond just our direct reach to do their part. By working creatively and efficiently, we were also able to donate over 50 care packages and more than 3,700 pads to women in need.
To anyone just beginning their journey: don’t wait for perfect conditions. Start where you are, and immerse yourself in every experience. Because, the truth is, you only have the desire because you have the capability.
All the wisdom you’ve shared today is sincerely appreciated. Before we go, can you tell us about the main challenge you are currently facing?
One of the biggest challenges we are facing at Power Your Flow is that we are a student-led team. As a youth-led team all under the age of 18, we often face barriers when it comes to accessing grants, partnerships, and other key resources. Just yesterday, we came across a grant that would have been perfect for our mission—but it was only available to registered nonprofits.
We also face challenges in engaging a male audience, as menstrual health is often viewed as a “girls-only” issue. To break that barrier, we organized fun, interactive activities like a Boys vs. Girls Cramp Simulator Challenge, which sparked curiosity and empathy. We also hosted a tennis tournament where a lot of guys showed up—not just to play, but to learn and support our cause.
Despite these challenges, we are actively seeking sponsorships and mentorships from established organizations that believe in our mission. We’re also reaching out to local community groups, such as Enlightened FL and Tampa Period Pantry, to help amplify our voice and strengthen our impact. In the meantime, we’re keeping our momentum going through awareness campaigns across social media platforms—proving that youth-led change is powerful, even without formal titles.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://empowerherflowhosa.wixstudio.com/website/about
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/power.your.flow?igsh=ZG1meTc2cmU2M3Zu&utm_source=qr
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/poweryourflow
- Linkedin: http://www.linkedin.com/in/power-your-flow-31434a325
Image Credits
Poojitha Palaniswamy, Aashritha Cherukuru, Sanjana Anumukonda, Churnika Gudla Venkata Siva, Nidhi Kulkarni
so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
