Founded in 2015
Lysne Tait & Amy Stephenson
Lysne Tait
Photo Credit: Sarrah Gani
Meet Our Executive Director
A nationally recognized leader in the fight to end period poverty, Lysne Tait is the co-founder and executive director of Helping Women Period. She has successfully worked with lawmakers to secure funding for the Helping Women Period Pilot Project, a test program to provide menstrual products to students in need in school districts across the state.
Before starting Helping Women Period, Lysne was a self-proclaimed “perpetual volunteer”, actively engaging with the community and supporting nonprofits such as the Firecracker Foundation. She also fostered a community of volunteers through the Facebook group “Not Your Mother’s Networking Group”.
Lysne earned a bachelor’s degree in Education and Communication from Eastern Michigan University and spent six years teaching. As an avid reader and literature enthusiast, she serves on the board for the Dewitt District Library and is currently writing her first book.
What is HWP?
Helping Women Period (HWP) provides millions of menstrual products to those in need throughout Michigan, and works to end period poverty through partnerships, advocacy, donations and education. HWP was co-founded by friends Lysne Tait and Amy Stephenson in 2015. After reading an article describing the difficulty that homeless individuals face in acquiring necessary menstrual products, they knew that they had to do something to help. They hosted a fundraising breakfast that ended up attracting more than 100 attendees who were eager to contribute to the cause. Lysne and Amy filed non-profit papers and have been dedicated to the growth of HWP ever since. Based in Lansing, they have partnered with multiple charitable foundations and donated at least 8 million menstrual products over the last ten years.
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Why HWP?
It is a deeply concerning issue that individuals who are experiencing financial hardship or homelessness lack access to menstrual health products. These products are necessary for basic hygiene and well-being, yet they are not covered by SNAP or any other welfare program, leaving many lacking crucial items that many of us take for granted.
