NADYA OKAMOTO
“Just get started! Don’t let self-doubt get in the way.
”
Founder of Period.org & Its August
You know that feeling when you’re watching something, reading a book, listening to a song, when you become almost hypnotized it’s so awe inspiring? A couple of years ago I was lucky enough to attend an event where Nadya was speaking and it was one of the most powerful things I’ve ever seen.
At 20 years old she was on stage and had the entire crowd transfixed as she ran us through the story of how she started the largest youth-run NGO, fighting period poverty around the world.
Since 2014 period.org have addressed over two million periods and registered over 90 campus chapters in all 50 states, and 50 other countries. In 2017, Nadya ran for public office in Cam- bridge, MA at age 19 – becoming the youngest Asian American to run in US history. Nadya recently published her debut book, Period Power: A Manifesto for the Menstrual Movement with publisher Simon & Schuster, which made the Kirkus Reviews list for Best Young Adult Non-fiction of 2018. In 2018, she also joined JUV Consulting, a Generation Z marketing agency based in NYC, as chief brand officer. She has been recognized as one of Forbes 30 under 30, Bloomberg 50 ‘Ones to Watch’ and People Magazine’s Women Changing the World.
Nadya’s story is that during high school her mom lost her job and so had to move in with friends. That meant that her commute to school went from 10 minutes to two hours. At that time, she became fascinated by other people’s hardships. She felt she could relate as she didn’t have a place to call home herself. During many hours of navigating her way to get to school, she started lots of conversations with homeless women along her route and asked them all the issues they have with being homeless. She hadn’t even thought about menstrual hygiene as being one of the issues, but it quickly became apparent it was the first thing they mentioned; having to use brown paper bags, toilet paper and stolen pillowcases. Nadya became fascinated and angered about how they spoke quietly when they spoke about having their period and so did a lot of research and realized no one was helping solve this issue. Why were periods such a hush topic when it’s something that all women go through?
At the age of 16, she teamed up with classmate, Vincent Forand, and co-founded the nonprofit. Within a few months, with the power of social media, the organization expanded to have chapters around the country.
She calls it the Menstrual Movement and, in her words; “When it comes to breaking the cycle of poverty, women’s empowerment is key. The best way to improve that and gender equality is by improving education and employment opportunities for women and girls. However, until periods are addressed, we can’t solve these issues of access to both. If this need isn’t addressed, women and girls won’t be provided with the confidence and dignity that every human requires to take full advantage of their potential.”
Nadya Okamoto has also been a fierce advocate to eliminate the “tampon tax” – a sales tax levied on period products, considering them non-essential goods...luxury items?! To provide context, Viagra and Rogaine don’t have this sales tax as they are considered necessities. In 2020, 30 US states still have the “tampon tax.” How on earth can politicians look each other in the eye when they know this is happening?
For someone who has brought about so much positive change to people around the world, to be honest when I started thinking about this book, Nadya was the first person I wanted to speak to. She’s one of the most inspiring people I have ever met. I’m proud to say that through my work with Nike we sponsored her Period Gala for two years, enabling the event to grow and her message to spread further. Get to know who Nadya Okomoto is right now, as I am pretty sure she’ll be President of the USA one day, and the world will be way better for it.
Jonathan : When I first saw you speak, you were kind of on a break from studying right?
Nadya : I’m now a senior at Harvard concentrating in sociology, and finishing up my year virtually with the 2020 global pandemic happening.
You have done so much to change the way the world talks about periods. Looking back, is there anything you would tell your teenage self?
Don’t feel like you need to do everything. Focus on the things you are passionate about. Don’t try to do like 20 clubs and multiple sports just because it might look good on a resume. Focus on the things that you’re passionate about and doing them for the right reasons. Oh, and sleep more, take care of yourself!
You’re an inspiration for so many people, what would you suggest for people who want to do what you do?
Just get started! Don’t let self-doubt get in the way. Then build a team of people that are stronger than you and challenge you. This has been super critical to the success of what we’re doing.
What were you curious/passionate about as a kid?
Sexual wellness / gender equality, which is 100% in line with where I spend my time now.
