We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Titilope Olotu a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Titilope, so good to have you with us today. We’ve always been impressed with folks who have a very clear sense of purpose and so maybe we can jump right in and talk about how you found your purpose?
As a Nigerian-American immigrant, I often experience a mix of awe and survivor’s guilt as I reflect on the privilege of being an American citizen. Witnessing my friends concealing their first menstrual cycles in our traditional community left a lasting impact. The societal pressure to conform and please Nigerian society burdened women like me. Disclosure of periods became taboo, inviting unwelcome advances from men, even within families. Many resorted to makeshift solutions like socks filled with leaves or newspapers and self-medication with paracetamol.
At age eight, I witnessed boys at school mocking girls with pads, implying menstruation signaled seeking inappropriate attention. Our sexual education class, once a source of guidance, turned into ridicule, with teachers advising on hiding menstruation, especially from male figures. This environment instilled deep fear in me, leading to prayers to avoid my menstrual cycle.
After three years of being in America, I experienced my first menstrual cycle and realized the privilege of having access to menstrual products. In Nigeria, even tissue paper was considered a luxury, leading to the use of bowls and water for cleaning. Transitioning to an American middle school, I could use tissues until I had access to pads at home. One day, I bled through my pants during PE class and felt ashamed. However, both my male and female teachers reassured me and comforted me, emphasizing that it was okay. When I shared my Nigerian community experience with them, the female teacher created a menstrual kit for me the next day with informative pamphlets to debunk the stigmas ingrained in me.
This personalized kit became a symbol of liberation from the stigmas I had faced, inspiring me to help other Nigerian teens similarly, one individual at a time.
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?
My involvement in advocating for women’s health in America began with the NAACP’s Ebony Alert Bill, sparking my passion for female well-being. Initially, I engaged with the Veteran Volunteering Organization under the American Legion Auxiliary, focusing on empowering special education students to create heartfelt notes for veteran care kits. As the school year concluded, I seized a grant opportunity by organizing a volunteer crew for a bubble run event on June 1, 2023. Passing on the organization to current high school students left me with $1000 for future projects.
On October 15, 2023, I embarked on researching a trusted collaborator in Nigeria for my envisioned “Period Padi” project. After connecting with Mikun Adeselu, a Nigerian feminist, I initiated discussions. The project aimed to support multiple schools especially Lagos and Ibadan, involving coordination efforts and logistics funding. Hosting late-night Zoom conferences to accommodate Nigerian time zones, I liaised with stakeholders and sought cost-effective solutions for menstrual products. Leveraging discounts from Aya Pads and securing additional funding from Health For Her, I amassed funding for the outreach projects by December, ready to implement the envisioned initiatives.
Initially, each kit was intended to include an Aya pad box with 8 each, a pamphlet, and a period guidebook written from a big sister perspective. The Canva guidebook team consisted of myself, a Coke scholar, a UNICEF youth, and the Health for Her organization. While I generated AI images and sketched images for some pages, time constraints led to journals for the girls to use for reflections instead. The guidebooks were to be printed later, after further refinement. Due to inflation, prices became unstable and difficult. Consequently, I had to limit the distribution to a school and an orphanage home in Ibadan.
On March 8, 2023, my partner Mikun visited Livingstone College, engaging with classes totaling around 93 students, while my director visited an orphanage home. Each event concluded with smiles and exclamations of “Thank you, Period Padi,” showing their surprise and comfort in discussing menstruation openly. While the girls in the all-girls school felt at ease, the work to combat stigma remains ongoing. Moreover, my Coke scholar colleague, Cherie Aminashaun, founder of Her Rising, offered a $300 grant for the next launch in May, which occurred during World Menstrual Hygiene day.
Upcoming projects include a collaboration with Mira Loma high school to fundraise with clubs for the Period Padi initiative .The Girl Up branch in San Rafael pledged to support fundraising efforts as well, which I plan to donate to correctional facilities in Sacramento.
I’m thrilled to have a network of individuals dedicated to addressing period poverty and grateful for their enthusiasm to make a difference.
In May 2024, my nonprofit organization officially launched its menstrual guidebook, which successfully raised over $800. The majority of these funds were allocated towards obtaining an official 501(c)(3) status, a significant milestone for our organization. Our goal is to utilize the remaining funds to continue supporting our target of providing for at least 100 girls before the end of 2024. Additionally, we are excited to announce our upcoming collaboration with mentors in the DREAM.ORG to further grow the initiative in collecting funds and providing more essential products for women in Nigeria. We are committed to making a positive impact and expanding our reach to support more individuals in need.
In June 2024, I was honored to complete the DREAM.ORG Justice Next Cohort program under the NBA Foundation, where I had the privilege of being awarded valedictorian. As a result, I received a MacBook and $2500 to further my nonprofit work. I am excited to allocate a portion of these funds towards obtaining our nonprofit status. Moreover, the DREAM.ORG Foundation has connected me with influential company owners of menstrual products, opening up potential collaboration opportunities that will help amplify our mission and impact.
This experience underscored the significance of perseverance and effective communication in achieving goals. Networking and consistent communication were key factors in the project’s success. Recognizing my privilege and leveraging it for positive change in Nigeria remains paramount. The impact of helping one girl creates a ripple effect, benefiting those around them. My ongoing commitment includes providing period products, advocating for the removal of menstrual product taxes, and striving to make these products more accessible.
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?
Perseverance, Collaborations, and Passion
My advice to those early in their journey is to persevere and stay true to their passion. When you’re genuinely dedicated to a cause, it shines through in your character and nonprofit work. Keep striving to foster collaborations and build meaningful connections. I never imagined I’d have the opportunities I have today, but my journey shows that hard work and dedication can lead to remarkable recognition.
Winning the Coca-Cola scholarship was a turning point, and it all started with my high school menstrual nonprofit that catered to the elderly. But what made my endeavors stand out was the depth of my involvement. As a CNA at 14, I worked closely with seniors. I represented my school at California Girl State and partnered with the American Legion Auxiliary for events supporting veterans.
My genuineness and commitment paid off, and I encourage others to stay authentic and persistent. Your passion will propel you forward, and the right opportunities will arise when you least expect them.
AWARDS 2023
Coca-Cola Scholar | Quest-bridge Scholar | Black at Microsoft Scholarship | Active 20-30 Scholarship| San Juan Scholarship | Future Minority Leaders (Bold.org) | Mira Loma Alumni Scholarship | Senate and Assembly Award (California Girl State)| Assembly Award (McCarty) |Cal Worthington Memorial Scholarship | Governors Award| Crocker Arts Finalist | Sierra Medical Certification | College Board African American Recognition
AWARDS 2024
Stantec Equity & Diversity Scholarship| White House Recognition (Kamala Harris)| Luther Speight Scholar| UNICEF Youth Council Finalist| Taco Bell Live Mas Scholar 2024|| Making a Difference Booger Fund Scholarship
One of our goals is to help like-minded folks with similar goals connect and so before we go we want to ask if you are looking to partner or collab with others – and if so, what would make the ideal collaborator or partner?
I’m eager to collaborate with like-minded individuals and organizations to expand my nonprofit organization’s impact in addressing period poverty and supporting women’s health in Nigeria and beyond.
If you’re passionate about making a difference in the lives of girls and women, I’d love to connect with you! You can reach out to me directly to discuss potential partnership opportunities.
Some ways you can collaborate with me include:
– Donating menstrual products or funds to support my outreach projects
– Sharing your expertise in areas like grant writing, fundraising, or marketing to help my organization grow
– Helping to organize events, workshops, or fundraising campaigns to support my mission
– Connecting me with other organizations or individuals who might be interested in collaborating or supporting my work
Together, we can create a bigger impact and help more girls and women access the resources and support they need to thrive. Let’s work together to make a difference!
please email me through [email protected] or Instagram at ti.squared20
Contact Info:
- Website: https://periodpadillc.wixsite.com/periodpadi
- Instagram: ti.squared20
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ti%CC%81ti%CC%81l%E1%BB%8Dp%E1%BA%B9%CC%81-olotu-8136b1202/
- Other: Non profit insta: periodpadi
Non profit email: [email protected]
Image Credits
Mikun Adeselu, Titilope Olotu
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