It’s a global initiative headquartered right in Philly!
At the Ujima Friends Peace Center in North Philadelphia, a group of retired Black women has found a way to weave together their skills, passion for service, and a deep commitment to global health, The Philadelphia Inquirer reports. Every week, between 25 and 35 women come together to create something that will change lives: reusable, washable menstrual pads for girls and women in Africa, the Caribbean, and beyond. This initiative, known as the Pan-African Sisterhood Health Initiative (P.A.S.H.I.), is not just about providing a product—it’s about providing dignity, health, and opportunity to young girls around the world.
Founded by Maisha Sullivan-Ongoza and a group of artisans and quilters, P.A.S.H.I. was born out of a deep desire to address the issue of menstrual hygiene management. As Sullivan-Ongoza explains, “We don’t call it period poverty, we call it menstrual hygiene management.” The group is focused on creating a sustainable, healthy solution for girls who often miss school during their periods due to a lack of proper menstrual products. Using organic materials like 100% cotton fabric and a water-resistant layer, the pads created by P.A.S.H.I. can be reused for up to three years, providing a safer, more sustainable alternative to disposable pads that can have harmful health effects.
The work of P.A.S.H.I. goes beyond just sewing. The women who volunteer are committed to empowering girls with the tools they need to manage their menstrual health while also offering a sense of security. “They have something so they can manage their periods with dignity,” Sullivan-Ongoza said. “They’re not open to predators taking advantage of them in exchange for pads.” Its mission touches not only on health but the safety and well-being of young girls across the globe.
What began in 2019 as a small, local project within the Sankofa Artisans Guild has blossomed into an international effort with global reach. In addition to providing pads, P.A.S.H.I. has traveled to Zimbabwe to teach women how to make pads by hand, especially in communities where sewing machines are scarce. Their international outreach, coupled with their environmental concerns about the chemicals in commercially produced pads, reflects a commitment to both health and sustainability.
“We are self-determined. We do this without a budget. We make it happen. We are using our creativity and working collectively,” Sullivan-Ongoza notes,
The spotlight for their work comes on the heels of Kwanzaa, something the org says they embody daily—especially the values of Umoja (unity), Kujichagulia (self-determination), Ujima (collective work and responsibility), and Imani (faith). While the pads they create are essential, the real impact lies in the community they have built. At P.A.S.H.I., women of all backgrounds come together to work, share stories, and make a difference. Many are retired professionals, including teachers, nurses, and environmentalists. They come for the mission, but they stay for the sisterhood.
“I enjoy working with the women. They are great to be with,” says Lynda Black, a member of the Ujima Friends Peace Center. “They are extremely resourceful. I enjoy the camaraderie and also the mission.” This camaraderie is felt across the group, from the women who sew the pads to those who prepare pouches for storage or help with fabric cutting. Everyone plays a role in making the initiative a success, and it’s a testament to the collective work of a community bound by purpose and faith.
In addition to their weekly work in Philadelphia, P.A.S.H.I. is actively involved in helping others locally. For example, the group recently collected winter clothing for children as part of the Great Family Gathering project, which provides Thanksgiving meals and other support to underserved communities. This commitment to local and international communities underscores P.A.S.H.I.’s holistic approach to service, showing that they are dedicated to improving lives at home and abroad.
P.A.S.H.I.’s impact extends beyond the sewing machines; the group also building strong relationships with organizations such as Sankofa Freedom Academy Charter and Imhotep Charter High School, which send students to learn how to make pads as part of a larger education on menstrual hygiene. For these young people, the experience is not just about sewing—it’s about learning the importance of community and sisterhood and taking action to address global challenges.
Moreover, P.A.S.H.I.’s influence reaches even further through programs like the Mandela Washington Fellowship, where young leaders from African nations are invited to learn from P.A.S.H.I.’s experience and take these lessons back home. Some have already started their own initiatives to create reusable pads in their home countries, spreading the ripple effect of P.A.S.H.I.’s work far and wide.
Through their work, the matriarchs are taking care of their own and setting an example of the impact of collective work on the larger community. Through this simple yet powerful act of sewing, these women are helping improve global menstrual hygiene management and provide girls with the opportunity to stay in school, stay safe, and thrive.
To donate to the work of P.A.S.H.I., visit their website at www.pashiglobal.org.
Cover photo: Retired Group of Black Women in Philly Gather Weekly to Sew Period Pads for Women in Africa/ Founder Maisha Sullivan-Ongoza shows off one of the pads made by the Pan African Sisterhood Health Initiative (PASHI) at the Ujima Friends Peace Center in Philadelphia on Wednesday, June 12, 2024/Photo credit: Elizabeth Robertson/The Philadelphia Inquirer