Inspiring Conversations with Micheala Miller of Strawberry Week

Today we’d like to introduce you to Micheala Miller.

Hi Micheala, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
I began my non-profit career in recruitment at Big Brothers Big Sisters of Kansas City. In 2018, I collaborated with the local Homeless Period Project Chapter to host a Period Packing Party for the youth enrolled in the BBBSKC program. This is where my passion for addressing period poverty ignited. I began pursuing my Master’s in Public Administration with a Nonprofit Leadership emphasis at University of Missouri – Kansas City and completed my studies at the end of 2020. While in school, I co-founded a local nonprofit where I integrated addressing period poverty into its mission of inclusive and unapologetic sex education. Eventually, the mission became too big for one organization and starting January 2022, I founded Strawberry Week to provide free resources for menstruators in Kansas and Missouri to work towards eliminating the stigma surrounding menstrual health and hygiene, and to provide education and awareness on the epidemic of period poverty.

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
I have learned SO much along the way. I collect all the experiences that I can through employment opportunities, education, volunteer work, everything! I am learning as I go and it is terrifying sometimes, but pushing past a little fear has been incredibly therapeutic. I am here for the ride. One day at a time!

We’ve been impressed with Strawberry Week, but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
Strawberry Week is a nonprofit organization that is focused on addressing period poverty in our community. We collect and distribute menstrual products across the metro through partnerships with other local organizations, libraries, and schools. We hope to improve accessibility to this basic need that has been unfairly taxed and stigmatized while also providing education and awareness of sustainable and economical menstrual management methods. We prioritize providing free period products to vulnerable populations within our community through nonprofit partnerships, but we also are striving to make period products available in public spaces for the benefit of everyone. These efforts include participating with state and local governments to influence legislation and partnering with local organizations, such as libraries and schools.

Alright, so to wrap up, is there anything else you’d like to share with us?
Get involved! There are so many basic needs organizations in our community that need your support. And if you want to volunteer for Strawberry Week, a great way to do so is by coordinating a collection drive with your friends, family, colleagues, club, or school! Collect period products from your network to donate to Strawberry Week. Feel free to get creative! We love to see it!!!

Contact Info:

• Email: micheala@strawberryweek.org
• Website: www.strawberryweek.org
• Instagram: @strawberryweeksociety
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/StrawberryWeekSociety