Image: Goods 4 Girls

This is a picture of girls learning how to use menstrual pads.  Maybe this topic embarrasses you, but imagine how embarrassed you would be if you were a young woman who had no access to any kind of menstrual protection at all. 

Imagine trying to go to school or work without such protection. For girls and young women in many parts of the world, their lives virtually come to a halt for up to a week every month.  In some places, the lack of proper sanitation for girls means that school ends for them completely once they enter puberty. 

Proctor and Gamble has a program to provide girls with disposable products, and you may have seen some of their ads.  Proceeds from selected purchases help fund this program.

There is an even better solution than Proctor and Gamble’s, however.  Disposable sanitary products don’t last, and they also cause significant environmental problems where disposal facilities are inadequate.  Goods 4 Girls is a non-profit organization that has stepped in to fill the gap.  Since most of these girls are using rags now, having a reusable, washable pad that is more sophisticated (with a waterproof barrier) may be enough to allow them to participate in school and other activities.   Goods 4 Girls accepts cash donations  or or donations of reusable pads, which donors can either purchase or sew themselves — patterns are provided. 

For more information, please visit http://www.goods4girls.org/

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Related Post:
Wednesday for (almost) women: Locks of Love

More articles from the ongoing “First 90 Days” series on CareerJournal.com, and how I do love them!

90 Days: Successful Summer Internships
How timely!  Internships are more popular than ever among college students.  And landing the perfect one is just the beginning.  Here’s how to make the most of your summer internship.

90 Days: Mixing Work and School Requires Planning
I’ve been thinking of this one: whether returning to school to move up at work or to make a career change, being a working student can be intense. Here are some ways to smooth the transition.

90 Days: After a Problem at Work
No matter how careful you are, at some point in your career, you or your subordinates are likely to mess up.  Except for me, of course.  In any case, what can prove more important than the actual mistake is how you and your staff react. Here are some tips for recovering after a misstep at work.

Other articles in the “First 90 Days Series”:

The First 90 Days: Strategic Career Planning  7 terrific “First 90 Days” topics
The First 90 Days:  More on Career (or Life) Planning   And here are 7 more!

My dear friend is a GRANDMOTHER, and if that isn’t an excuse to play with Polyvore.com, I don’t know what is.  

Isn’t she a beauty?

Also, my son has a summer job, unlike most of his peers. According to a recent report in wide release today, summer unemployment among 16-19 yr olds is expected to be higher than it has been in over half a century: only 33.5 percent of older teens had a job during the first three months of the year, the lowest rate recorded since 1948. 

For the record: yes, he got his job by networking.  Is there any other way?