Dayton, Ohio – On her 13th birthday, local teenager Autumn May turned a personal wish into a community‑wide effort to combat period poverty. Over the past few weeks, her grassroots campaign, Autumn’s Period Initiative, has collected more than 41,000 feminine products for girls in Dayton Public Schools, nearly doubling the donations she reported just two weeks earlier.
From a simple wish to a city‑wide movement
May, who first began gathering supplies for classmates in need, said the rapid growth of donations has been “so big right now.” She explained that the surge is helping ensure that girls no longer have to miss school because they lack necessary menstrual products. “It feels so good because I’m glad that all the girls get to have something so they don’t have to miss school,” she told News Center 7’s Ava Petrosky.
Partnerships amplify impact
May’s effort has attracted the support of Miss Ohio USA 2026, Kayelin Tiggs, who praised the teen’s bravery and courage. Tiggs, a pageant competitor herself, highlighted the partnership between May and the Ohio Coalition for Menstrual Equity, noting a recent donation from Procter & Gamble that will further boost supplies. “I want to make this an annual initiative and work with schools all over Ohio,” Tiggs added.
Goals and future plans
Initially aiming for 5,000 donations, May’s tally skyrocketed to 25,000 within weeks and now stands at 41,000, with numbers continuing to rise. The final count will be announced at a Dayton Public Schools meeting on November 17. The Ohio Coalition for Menstrual Equity will continue collecting donations through the end of October, and an Amazon fundraising page remains open for contributions.
Community response
Local families, businesses, and volunteers have rallied around the cause, recognizing the importance of providing basic necessities to students. The initiative not only supplies essential items but also raises awareness about the broader issue of period poverty, encouraging other communities to adopt similar programs.
How to help
Residents who wish to support the effort can visit Autumn’s Amazon donation page, which remains active until her birthday on October 22. Additional contributions will be directed to the Ohio Coalition for Menstrual Equity for distribution through Dayton schools.
Autumn’s story exemplifies how a single teenager’s compassion can inspire a city‑wide response, reinforcing the values of family, faith, and individual liberty that strengthen our neighborhoods.
Original reporting: WHIO-TV Dayton (local) — read the source article.
