Expect late nights and tireless work in this advocacy journey. The work is demanding, and sometimes, in those late hours, you might find yourself watching a Lifetime/LMN movie featuring a big, beautiful, luxurious house — just know that it’s about to go down. This lighthearted reminder serves to highlight the unpredictable and often intense nature of advocacy work.
As part of my series about “individuals and organizations making an important social impact”, I had the pleasure of interviewing Eiko La Boria.
Eiko La Boria is the Founder & CEO of The Flow Initiative, a national organization dedicated to addressing period poverty and enhancing access to menstrual health products in Hudson County, New Jersey, and throughout the US.
Since 2019, The Flow Initiative has ushered in six bills to advance menstrual health legislation, educated 40,000 students on period poverty nationwide, and distributed 1.3 million menstrual health products worldwide. Eiko works with her partner, Sabrina Browne and a dedicated team of grassroots volunteers.
Eiko’s advocacy for women and menstruating individuals stems from personal experiences as a Puerto Rican woman and professional work as a writer. Over a decade ago in Los Angeles, Eiko wrote about sexual harassment and assaults, topics now prominent under #MeToo and #TimesUp, when they were still taboo.
Thank you so much for joining us in this interview series! Can you tell us a story about what brought you to this specific career path?
About five years ago, I read a heart-wrenching story that forever changed my perspective and ignited my passion. In some regions of West Africa, boys identify girls ready for sex and motherhood by the blood running down their legs — a stark and painful indication of the dire lack of access to menstrual products. This vivid image stuck with me, forcing me to confront a harsh reality: period poverty is not confined to far-off places; it exists right here in America.
This realization was a pivotal moment for me. I began to question if similar issues were present in our own communities, and my research confirmed my fears. Wherever there is food insecurity, menstrual insecurity inevitably follows. The thought of girls and women in my own country facing such indignity and health risks was unbearable. This epiphany drove me to become a dedicated advocate for period poverty and menstrual equity. I knew that change was not just necessary — it was urgent.
Can you share the most interesting story that happened to you since you began leading your company or organization?
Jersey City is one of the most diverse cities in the nation, a true melting pot of cultures and traditions. This diversity has made our work at The Flow Initiative on menstrual equity incredibly insightful and deeply moving. Throughout this journey, we have discovered the various ways menstruation is managed around the world. Many young people in our community still rely on methods from their parents’ native countries, such as making pads from leaves, using newspapers, practicing free bleeding, or using rags. These stories are not just anecdotes but powerful reminders of the ongoing struggle for menstrual equity and the resilience of those affected by period poverty.
Hearing these humbling stories has only strengthened my resolve to ensure that no one has to face such hardships. Universal free access to menstrual products is not a luxury but a necessity. It is about dignity, health, and equality. We must work together to break down these barriers and provide everyone with the resources they need.
By doing so, we can create a community where all individuals, regardless of their background or economic status, can manage their periods with dignity and respect. The stories of these young people inspire me daily and fuel my passion to fight for menstrual equity for all.
It has been said that our mistakes can be our greatest teachers. Can you share a story about the funniest mistake you made when you were first starting? Can you tell us what lesson you learned from that?
The funniest mistake I ever made was allowing others to determine the worth of my efforts, believing that my qualification as an advocate depended on the recognition of powerful people.
I thought that if the influential figures in my city didn’t know who I was or what I was doing, then I was a failure. This misconception led to many moments of doubt and insecurity. However, through my journey, I learned a valuable lesson: true advocacy isn’t about seeking validation from the powerful but about dedicating yourself to the service of those who are marginalized and oppressed. It’s the impact on these communities that truly defines your worth and success as an advocate.
By shifting my focus to wholeheartedly serving the most marginalized and oppressed, I discovered that respect and influence naturally followed. When you commit to advancing the cause of those who need it most, you demonstrate authenticity and dedication that resonates far beyond superficial recognition. This approach not only brought tangible change to the lives of those I aimed to help but also earned the admiration and support of influential figures who recognized the genuine impact of my work. The journey taught me that true leadership and advocacy are about lifting others up, and in doing so, you gain the respect and influence of even the most powerful.
Can you describe how you or your organization is making a significant social impact?
The Flow Initiative is making a significant social impact by prioritizing people’s needs and addressing the urgent issue of period poverty. Initially, we focused on running weekend period product drives and collaborating with weekend food distribution organizations. However, we quickly realized that waiting until Saturday wasn’t helpful for those who got their period on a Monday, leaving them without essential products for nearly a week. This insight led to the creation of Project Local Access, a groundbreaking program that places free period care packages in Jersey City libraries, ensuring access from Monday through Saturday. This approach not only provided timely support but also highlighted the critical need for consistent and reliable access to menstrual products. People from around the world contacted us on how to create a Project Local Access in their communities, this prompted us to partner with the United State of Women in creating our Project Local Access toolkit.
Recognizing that this effort alone wasn’t enough, we successfully lobbied for the passage of six menstrual and reproductive freedom bills in just one year, significantly advancing menstrual equity in our community. These bills encompassed a range of crucial measures, including the provision of free products in schools and emergency shelters, the establishment of special screening programs for conditions like endometriosis and PCOS, the creation of a reproductive health website, and a resolution petitioning the federal government to cover menstrual products under programs like SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program). These legislative victories signify a significant stride toward menstrual equity in our community.
Our work is underscored by alarming statistics: in the United States, 1 in 5 girls has missed school due to lack of menstrual products, and 16.9 million people who menstruate live in poverty, struggling to afford these essential items. In our own, The Flow Initiative School Study, we found that 28% of girls had missed school because of a lack of access to menstrual products. These numbers propelled us to innovate within the menstrual health space, aiming to create a new normal where access to menstrual products and care is universal and equitable. Our ongoing mission is to ensure that no one has to face the indignity and health risks associated with period poverty, paving the way for a future where menstrual equity is a standard, not an exception.
Can you tell us a story about a particular individual who was impacted or helped by your cause?
Based in Jersey City, we extend our efforts locally, statewide, nationally, and internationally, striving to alleviate period poverty wherever it exists. Our commitment has taken us to South America, Syria, Turkey, and the Dominican Republic, reaching countless individuals in need. However, the most heartfelt donation we made was to Loiza, Puerto Rico. This region, known for its deep poverty and high concentration of Afro-Puerto Ricans, holds a special place in my heart. I was born in Santurce, Puerto Rico, and my grandfather hailed from Loiza, making this contribution profoundly personal and significant.
Our donation to Loiza was directed to a girls’ orphanage run by nuns, ensuring that young girls who have faced unimaginable hardships have access to essential menstrual products. This act of giving was not just about providing physical items but about restoring dignity and offering support to a community that resonates deeply with my heritage and family history. By helping the girls in Loiza, we honor the legacy of my grandfather and affirm our commitment to reaching the most vulnerable populations. This experience underscores the importance of our mission and fuels our resolve to continue advocating for menstrual equity worldwide.
Are there three things the community/society/politicians can do to help you address the root of the problem you are trying to solve?
- Listen to the needs of girls, women, and menstruating individuals. It’s crucial to truly listen to understand their unique needs. In our diverse world, these voices often get lost, but without understanding, we cannot help effectively. By actively listening, we can better identify the specific challenges faced by those who menstruate and develop targeted solutions that make a real impact.
- Mobilize to ensure menstrual products are not just donation-based. Many caring people want to help, but menstruation should have reliable support. If you find bathrooms without menstrual products, ask why. Push for change by questioning the status quo. Sustainable and systemic solutions are needed to ensure that menstrual products are always available, regardless of donation cycles. We must advocate for policies that guarantee consistent access to these essential items.
- Redefining access and creating a new normal in the period poverty and menstrual equity space is essential for ensuring that all individuals have the dignity and support they deserve. Traditional methods of distribution, like sporadic product drives, are not enough to meet the consistent needs of those who menstruate. Innovative initiatives, such as Project Local Access, exemplify how community-based solutions can provide reliable and timely access to menstrual products. By strategically placing free period care packages in accessible locations like libraries or social infrastructures, we are setting a new standard for menstrual equity. This approach not only addresses immediate needs but also fosters a supportive environment where menstruation is normalized and respected. Expanding such models can transform the landscape, ensuring that menstrual products are universally available and empowering individuals to live without the burden of period poverty.
How do you define “Leadership”? Can you explain what you mean or give an example?
Leadership means knowing when to follow and when to forge your own path. True leadership involves the humility to support others and take instruction, recognizing the collective strength of a team working toward a common mission. However, it also requires the courage to step out independently when you believe a different approach is necessary. This balance is crucial: a good leader is not just a follower but a visionary who can discern when to take the lead and create new paths for success.
I experienced this firsthand as a member of a coalition where I disagreed with the leadership style. Despite the initial uncertainty, I trusted my instincts and decided to leave, convinced that I could achieve better results on my own. This decision was not easy, but it proved transformative. By forging my own path, I not only met but exceeded my expectations, demonstrating that true leadership sometimes requires breaking away from the established norms to achieve meaningful change. This journey reinforced the importance of listening to your inner voice and having the confidence to act on it, even when it means going against the grain.
What are your “5 things I wish someone told me when I first started” and why?
- Being a “nonprofit” doesn’t guarantee that an organization is genuinely working towards solutions. Unfortunately, some entities exploit poverty for profit, engaging in what can be described as poverty peddling. I’ve encountered individuals who openly admit they benefit financially from maintaining a broken system rather than striving to fix it. This reality is a stark reminder that the mission and actions of a nonprofit should always be scrutinized to ensure they align with genuine social impact.
- Nonprofits are not always inclusive or free from bias, which can undermine their mission. Some organizations refuse to support marginalized communities, such as the LGBTQ community. It is crucial to thoroughly vet an organization’s values before deciding to partner with them. I once encountered a non-profit that bluntly stated, “If they’re gay, I can’t help them,” highlighting the importance of aligning with organizations that uphold inclusivity and equality.
- Legislation often moves at a slow pace, making it essential for individuals to implement practical, common-sense solutions in the interim. Thoughtful and impactful actions can inspire broader change. For example, Project Local Access was initiated to provide immediate access to free menstrual products in libraries. This grassroots effort demonstrated the need and led to the introduction of legislation ensuring similar access across New Jersey libraries. It underscores the power of proactive, community-based initiatives in driving legislative progress.
- Men often know more about periods than they openly discuss, frequently relating through personal connections with their sisters, wives, or mothers. Many men have expressed understanding and support when discussing period poverty, revealing their potential as incredible allies in this fight. It is essential to recognize and engage men as partners in advocating for menstrual equity.
- Expect late nights and tireless work in this advocacy journey. The work is demanding, and sometimes, in those late hours, you might find yourself watching a Lifetime/LMN movie featuring a big, beautiful, luxurious house — just know that it’s about to go down. This lighthearted reminder serves to highlight the unpredictable and often intense nature of advocacy work.
You are a person of enormous influence. If you could inspire a movement that would bring the most amount of good to the most amount of people, what would that be? You never know what your idea can trigger. 🙂
Living in a city with tight parking, I often find myself contemplating ways to foster a sense of community and consideration among drivers. One idea that comes to mind is leaving “thank you for being considerate” hearts on cars that park thoughtfully. Too often, I see small cars parked in the middle of large spaces, inadvertently preventing others from finding a spot.
By encouraging more considerate parking habits, we could significantly improve the parking situation in our city. It’s a small gesture, but it has the potential to create a ripple effect, fostering a more considerate and cooperative urban environment. Imagine the impact of spreading kindness and awareness through something as simple as a note — encouraging drivers to be mindful of others and making city living just a bit easier for everyone.
Can you please give us your favorite “Life Lesson Quote”? Can you share how that was relevant to you in your life?
“But it ain’t about how hard you hit. It’s about how hard you can get hit and keep moving forward. How much you can take and keep moving forward. That’s how winning is done!” — Rocky Balboa
This quote resonates deeply with me and reflects the journey I’ve taken in advocating for menstrual equity and period poverty. In my work, I have faced numerous obstacles, from skepticism and apathy to active resistance. There were times when the challenges seemed insurmountable, and the setbacks felt overwhelming. However, the true measure of success isn’t how easily you achieve your goals but how resiliently you pursue them despite the hurdles.
In my life, I have embodied this principle by persevering through the toughest moments. When I encountered organizations profiting from a broken system or those that excluded vulnerable communities, I didn’t give up. Instead, I pushed harder, knowing that real change requires enduring the blows and continuing to fight. This tenacity led to the creation of impactful initiatives and the successful lobbying for menstrual equity legislation. It wasn’t about the immediate victories but about continually moving forward, no matter how hard the hits, that defined the success of my advocacy.
Is there a person in the world, or in the US with whom you would like to have a private breakfast or lunch with, and why? He or she might just see this, especially if we tag them. 🙂
Melinda Gates deeply understands that women have not yet reached their full potential. She acknowledges the significant progress made over the years in advancing women’s rights and opportunities but also recognizes the substantial journey ahead. Gates is acutely aware of the persistent barriers and inequalities that continue to hinder women’s full participation in various spheres of life. Her commitment to gender equality is reflected in her philanthropic efforts and advocacy work, which aim to address these systemic challenges. By investing in women’s education, health, and economic empowerment, Gates is not only highlighting the importance of continued progress but also actively working to create a world where women can fully realize their potential. Her vision is one where every woman has the opportunity to thrive, contribute, and lead, driving forward the collective advancement of society.
How can our readers further follow your work online?
Please follow us @TheFlowInitiative across all social media channels and visit us at www.theflowinitiativefoundation.org to learn more. To advance our actions,
if possible, please donate to our Amazon Wish List. All donations are promptly distributed to those most in need.
This was very meaningful, thank you so much. We wish you only continued success in your great work!
Social Impact Heroes: Why & How Eiko La Boria of The Flow Initiative Is Helping To Change Our World was originally published in Authority Magazine on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.