From the president
Emilyn Slemon’s impressive leadership is defined by a commitment to ameliorating issues of poverty in her local community. While still in high school, Emilyn founded and led Women Together Period, a non-profit organization dedicated to addressing the issue of period poverty in rural Appalachia by providing menstrual supplies to under-resourced community members. As Executive Director, Emilyn directs the daily operations of the nonprofit, engages in fundraising and community awareness, and has begun moving her grassroots work into the policy arena. Emilyn is also engaged in advocacy work and has aligned her academic coursework to help her better understand both the history of poverty in Appalachia as well as how legal changes and policy shifts might help empower the region. Outside of her work with Women Together Period, Emilyn is an active member of our Honors Program, where she helped organize and execute a statewide research conference. Emilyn is an avid researcher, completing and presenting three different research essays this year. The combined force of Emilyn’s academic achievements, her commitment to her region, and her unparalleled leadership skills will ensure that she continues to make positive changes for our north Georgia community far into the future.
Personal Statement
I am a social activist and a catalyst for change in my community. I derive my sense of purpose from working to address the needs of my community in southern Appalachia and beyond. When I was fifteen, I was shocked to learn of the prevalence of period poverty; I decided to act. I am the Founder and Executive Director of Women Together Period, Inc., a tax-exempt nonprofit organization that seeks to eradicate period poverty by providing free period products throughout north Georgia while combating the stigmatization of menstruation through education and advocacy. Education is key to understanding and responding to the causes and consequences of poverty. As I continue my work in the nonprofit sector, I am also studying to become a university professor, researching social and economic marginalization in contemporary American history. I address issues faced by underrepresented groups through a multifaceted approach, employing the academic, professional, and personal skills I have developed.