Days for Girls sew day is an philanthropic event hosted by the Fashion Show for the first time on Saturday. With the help of the philanthropy committee, which is brand new to the Fashion Show team, they hosted the biggest sew day Days for Girls has ever had in the Iowa region. 

“The Fashion Show has the ability to educate those around us,” said Olivia Wabbe, co-director of philanthropy for the Fashion Show. “Because we are such a big group, we can make a difference by spreading awareness with our numbers.”

The Fashion Show united with Days for Girls to raise awareness and understanding for menstrual care and health education while breaking the barriers and constraints of women and girls.

“A big part of the Fashion Show this year is confidence and promoting it,” said Kellie Roth, co-director of the Fashion Show. “Days for Girls has the same mission to provide women and girls care packages, so they do not have to face period lock up and the side effects of zero motivation to go to work or school.” 

The sew day created reusable menstruation kits for women and girls in developing countries. Those kits are then sent to those in underdeveloped nations. In doing so, the kits help give women and girls more freedom and healthier options.

“I wanted to do my part by giving those the opportunity who cannot access the proper resources for their hygiene,” said Katie Fisher, co-director of philanthropy for the Fashion Show. “I hope these feminine kits will empower the women and girls who are afraid to step outside into the world and go about their daily lives.” 

According to the Days for Girls website, the organization has provided aid to more than one million women and girls. It is common for those in underdeveloped nations who are in need of proper menstrual care to use anything in arms reach specifically rags, mattress stuffing, feathers and banana leaves. This movement puts an end to the stigma by gathering suitable, eco-friendly items with a health education to create the total package.

“This movement was heartbreaking to wrap our heads around,” said Fisher. “It hit a soft spot for all of us because we all know how important feminine hygiene is. So, if we can mutually benefit ourselves and others by using our sewing skills and giving back is remarkable.”

Students, parents and committee members of the Fashion Show joined the sew day on Saturday, to create reusable menstruation kits. There was a unique process for the kits with step by step stations with packaging, sewing, cutting and much more.

“I enjoy philanthropy work and the cool things it is involved with,” said Maddie Egbert, a freshman in apparel, merchandising and design. “I think a lot of us take the ready accessible feminine items for granted while women and girls in developing countries are being shunned for something natural and unpreventable.”

The menstruation kits handed out include washable pads, which have two parts, a shield and a liner, a washcloth with a travel-sized bar of soap, a drawstring bag, two pairs of panties and other necessities. Each kit is unique with a broad range of colorful, creative patterns so women and girls feel a sense of security and comfortability with their menstruation.

“Before I heard about Days for Girls, I was oblivious to this awareness,” said Wabbe. “I was uneducated on the fact is was impure and sinful for women and girls in developing countries to get their period. I hope we continue to spread the word on this.”

With the help of everyone who volunteered, the Fashion Show’s orginal goal was to reach 50 menstruation kits but by the end of the day they exceeded by 75 to be sent off to the women and girls in underdeveloped nations.