Rhode Island · Est. 2025
empowHER is a student-led movement that advocates, fundraises and educates alongside women in low-income communities who can't always get the basic hygiene products they need.
Our mission
empowHER advocates, fundraises and educates to end hygiene poverty for women in low-income communities. We meet women where they are, and every member gets to champion the causes she cares about most.
Raise awareness of hygiene poverty and the women it affects, on campus and across Rhode Island.
Host campus drives and events that turn community spirit into products and funds for women who need them.
Share resources and build partnerships with local organizations that already meet women where they are.
Why hygiene poverty
Hygiene poverty means not being able to afford basics like period products, soap, deodorant or a toothbrush. Food assistance doesn't cover these items, so women facing homelessness, domestic violence or low income often go without.
That's why every kit we put together includes a handwritten note. "You are loved." "You are strong." "Slow progress is still progress." A small reminder that someone is in her corner.
By the numbers
menstruating people in the U.S. live in low-income or poverty-stricken households.
low-income women have struggled to afford basic menstrual products.
teens have gone without the period products they needed.
Figures as commonly reported by the Alliance for Period Supplies and national period-poverty research.
Upcoming events
Tap a highlighted date to see what's happening.
Grab a coffee and help stock a hygiene kit! At our table you can purchase a hygiene product to donate to women in need, and we'll make sure it gets to them.
Choose what you'd like to buy:
Our chapters
Our URI chapter has an eight-person leadership team and is in the process of becoming a recognized campus organization. This semester we're hosting campus fundraisers, including a coffee bar tabling event.
Our Newport chapter brings empowHER's mission to Salve Regina's campus through hygiene drives, events and partnerships with local organizations.
empowHER is growing beyond Rhode Island! Our Sacred Heart chapter is on its way. Are you a Sacred Heart student who wants to help launch it? We'd love to hear from you.
URI chapter leadership · 2026
Students from human development, communication, journalism, kinesiology, marine biology and more, united by one cause.
Hi friends,
I've been wanting to write this for a while, so here it goes. empowHER started as an idea. Today it's a real team, a real mission, and honestly some of my favorite people in the world.
Here's a little of what's happened so far:
But the thing I'm proudest of isn't on that list. It's the kind of space we're building. We live in a time when the world feels so divided, and it's easy for women to compare, compete and tear each other down. empowHER is the opposite of that. We celebrate each other. We show up for each other. And together we show up for women in our community who just need someone in their corner.
Hygiene poverty is real, and it's closer than most people think. But so is the power of a group of women who decide to do something about it, one kit, one note and one cause at a time.
If you've been thinking about joining, this is your sign. Come to a meeting, bring a friend, bring a cause you care about. There's a seat at our table for you.
Stories · Salve Regina
February 3–17, 2025
For two weeks, donation bins sat in residence hall lobbies and the dining hall across Salve Regina's campus. Students dropped off pads, tampons, toothpaste, tissues and toiletries, and we filled the gaps with our own shopping trips.
Then we packed it all by hand. Every kit went to Crossroads Rhode Island, which supports people experiencing homelessness and survivors of domestic violence across the state.
Get involved
Bring us a cause you care about and we'll help you build the partnership around it.
Tell us you're interested and a chapter leader will reach out about meetings and upcoming events.
Interest formTell us about yourself, your major and the causes you're passionate about so we can match you with the right projects.
Tell us about youWant a chapter at your school? We'll help you get started.
Current chapters. Don't see your school? Start one.
Resources for women
If you or someone you know needs support, these organizations can help. All are free and confidential.
| Organization | How they help | Contact |
|---|---|---|
| RI Coalition Against Domestic Violence | 24/7 confidential statewide helpline and online chat, with local agencies in every region | 1-800-494-8100 ricadv.org |
| Crossroads Rhode Island | Housing, emergency shelter and a 24-hour domestic violence helpline | 401-861-2760 (DV helpline) 401-521-2255 (main) crossroadsri.org |
| RI Community Food Bank | Food Finder tool for the nearest food pantry or meal site | 401-942-6325 rifoodbank.org/find-food |
| 211 Rhode Island | Connects you to local help with housing, utilities, health care and more | Dial 2-1-1 |
| 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline | 24/7 support for anyone in emotional distress | Call or text 988 |
In an emergency, call 911. Know a resource we should add? Email contactus@empowherrhodeisland.org.
Donate
Every product and every dollar goes to women in Rhode Island who need it. Online giving is coming soon; for now, here's how you can help.
Nonprofit status in progressPads, tampons, toothbrushes, toothpaste, deodorant, soap and travel-size toiletries. Drop them in a chapter bin during our drives.
Local businesses can donate goods, supplies or raffle prizes, and we'll feature you at the event and on our social media.
Email us to arrange a gift to a chapter.