SALISBURY — A lack of formal education on her body’s physical development impacted Jante “Janet” Gibson-Bryant in ways that she wanted to make sure other young women were equipped with the knowledge needed to navigate those formative ages.

“I was not taught about my menstrual cycle,” Gibson-Bryant said. “I think because of that, it put something there.”

Gibson-Bryant is the founder and CEO of AwakenHer Wellness, Inc. The nonprofit organization’s mission is to empower women and children to achieve the optimal balance of physical, mental and spiritual well-being crucial to living a higher quality of life. Gibson-Bryant explained that Awaken is actually an acronym for “Amazing Women Attaining Knowledge Embracing Newness.”

“My faith in God laid it on my heart,” Gibson-Bryant said. “I recognized that, as women, we are not comfortable sharing this. Menstrual health is not something that girls are comfortable sharing because a lot of women are not comfortable sharing.”

Gibson-Bryant’s journey of feminine empowerment led her to identify a need.

“Many young girls experience their first period while they are in school,” Gibson-Bryant said on her LinkedIn page. “These circumstances often leave them feeling unprepared, shamed and embarrassed.

“Our local area schools: Kannapolis, Rowan, Cabarrus and Mecklenburg counties many times, do not have feminine supplies to provide when this situation occurs, leaving the responsibility of supplying such items on an administrative staff that is already under-funded.”

As a result of those observations, Gibson-Bryant launched the Period Purse Project in August 2021. The Period Purse Project is a youth empowerment initiative devoted to combating period insecurity in adolescent girls by providing local schools with menstrual management resources.

“Shame and stigma attached to having your period, it’s like, why?” Gibson-Bryant said. “It’s one of the most natural things we experience as females.

“This is not something to be ashamed of. This is something to be proud of.”

In the three years since launching the project, Gibson-Bryant’s organization has contributed 1,500 period purses to local pre-teen and teenage girls. The period purses contain an assortment of items intended to help and educate their recipients. The purses include three regular-absorbency maxi pads, three panty liners, hand sanitizer, lip balm, hand lotion and Dove body wash.

In addition to the hygiene products, Gibson-Bryant’s purses contain an affirmation bracelet and letter critically aligned with her organization’s mission of feminine empowerment.

“I know my worth,” the letter begins. “I am beautiful. I believe in my dreams. I am brilliant. I am healthy. I love myself for who I am. I am loved. I am grateful for every day.”

At its core, the organization strives to give young girls what they need to be physically and mentally prepared for the ardors of womanhood.

“Self esteem and confidence goes hand in hand,” Gibson-Bryant said. “Knowing that a lot of these girls are not prepared, it has put a fire under my feet to prepare my daughters and the next generation of girls.”

Gibson-Bryant has three daughters of her own.

“As I empower the girls, I get to empower the community,” Gibson-Bryant said. “I often say that I treat people how I want my children to be treated.”

However, her own personal experiences have motivated her as well.

“I do believe that empathy is a gift of mine, but there is a different level of passion because I have experienced much of what these girls are going through and have experienced,” Gibson-Bryant said.

In preparation for a new school year, Gibson-Bryant is hosting a period purse packing event on Aug. 3. It takes place at the Salisbury Community Development Center, 1400 W. Bank St. in Salisbury, from noon until 3 p.m.

The drive is always in need of donations, whether supplies or funding, as well as volunteers.

“Empowered women empower children,” Gibson-Bryant said. “Empowered children, empower communities.”

To find out how to help out, email Gibson-Bryant at jante@awakenherwellness.com.

She hopes to expand the number of period purses distributed to a few thousand this year, and with the community’s help, Gibson-Bryant plans to get there.