Rochelle Courtenay

Rochelle Courtenay, affectionately known as the 'Pad Lady', is the founder and Managing Director of Share the Dignity, a national charity dedicated to providing dignity to women, girls, and those who menstruate across Australia[1]. In March 2015, moved by the plight of homeless women struggling to manage their periods, Rochelle took action by collecting and distributing sanitary items to local shelters[1]. This simple act of compassion grew into a nationwide movement, with Share the Dignity now boasting over 6,000 volunteers and multiple initiatives aimed at addressing period poverty[1]. Rochelle's journey to becoming a champion for women's dignity is marked by personal challenges, including experiences with domestic violence and a period of incarceration, which ultimately shaped her resilience and deepened her empathy for women in need[1]. Her leadership has led to the collection and distribution of millions of period products, and she continues to advocate for menstrual equity, pushing for free period products in schools, universities, workplaces, and public spaces across Australia[3]. Citations: [1] https://www.sharethedignity.org.au/about/founder [2] https://www.sharethedignity.org.au/about/founder [3] https://primer.com.au/moment-that-changed-everything-share-the-dignity-rochelle-courteney/ [4] https://www.ntnews.com.au/news/northern-territory/northern-territorys-remote-communities-way-behind-on-menstrual-health-says-share-the-dignity-founder/news-story/278527ddd60ec9405a5bddba60be114c [5] https://au.linkedin.com/in/rochelle-courtenay-6769156b [6] https://www.impactboom.org/blog/2023/06/1/rochelle-courtenay-on-period-poverty-and-creating-dignified-community-movements