State Rep. Rolanda Hollis (D-Birmingham) recently recognized twin sisters from Montgomery for their "menstrual equity advocacy."
Breanna and Brooke Bennett, the founders of Women in Training, Inc. (WIT), were given a framed certificate from the State House of Representatives at the annual Beautiful Women and Handsome Men in Hats event for their nonprofit organization that distributes kits of menstrual, hygiene and dental products to underserved girls and young women.
The now-17-year-olds are set to graduate from Montgomery Academy this month.
"Bree and Brooke were 12-years-old when they came to see me at the Alabama State House for the first time, and they knew exactly what they wanted to accomplish," Hollis stated. "They told me they wanted legislation to help end period poverty, so I introduced a bill to help do just that!"
Hollis' House Bill 50, "Period Poverty Bill," passed unanimously in the Alabama Legislature in April 2022, making Alabama only the seventh state in the nation with a funded menstrual equity law, according to a release.
House Speaker Nathaniel Ledbetter (R-Rainsville) was also honored at the Beautiful Women and Handsome Men in Hats. He signed the certificate in recognition of Breanna and Brooke's advocacy.
"We are so grateful to our Shero, Rep. Rolanda Hollis, for honoring us in this special way," said Brooke Bennett. "Thanks to the Alabama legislature, we have accomplished one of our initial goals, which is to partner with government agencies to institute laws to help end period poverty."
Breanna Bennett added, "Now, we can focus on our other two goals, which are to increase awareness of period poverty globally, and help pass Congresswoman Grace Meng's Menstrual Equity for All Act to support girls and women throughout the U.S."
Hollis also presented the sisters with a U.S. House of Representatives special recognition certificate, signed by U.S. Rep. Terri Sewell (D-Birmingham), for "outstanding and invaluable service to the community."
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