Not Just Another Senior Project

Tabor helped me blossom in my giving efforts, give back to those around me, and build upon my foundation of what it means to be a kind person.Aliyah Jordan ’23

Senior Projects allow students to pursue their passions in a capstone of their own creation, outside the standard curriculum. Often, themes of service and philanthropy are at the core of these presentations, as exemplified with Jordan’s proposal, “ComfortHer: A Project in the Fight to End Period Poverty.” Her inspiration came from a video she saw in middle school about how unhoused and underprivileged women survive on their period.

“Twelve-year-old me thought, ‘Survive? What does that mean?’ I had no idea that not having the menstrual products you need could be the line between life and death. I had never thought about it. I had the privilege not to.” Jordan continues, “My heart broke for these women and the millions of other people around the world who had to take extreme measures on their period because they do not have access to sanitary products. I always knew that I wanted to do something about it.”

And so, she did. As soon as she returned from Spring Break in March 2023, Jordan got to work creating boxes to collect donations. She then distributed the boxes across Tabor’s campus, as well as around town, including spots like Elizabeth Taber Library, Plumb Library, and Always in Bloom Flower Shop. Jordan also collaborated with Southcoast Health, who offered to donate menstrual products in exchange for her help with a similar endeavor in the future. After donations were collected, Jordan recruited the help of her friends to assemble the “ComfortHer” kits, which consisted of pads, tampons, fuzzy socks, blankets, candy, tea, and other comfort items. Jordan also included a flyer from a YWCA representative on how to receive more products when they are needed. In total, 50 kits and 2,093 menstrual products were donated across the Southcoast Women’s Center, Grace House, and Harbour House.

“One of the things I like to say about this project is it wasn’t just a senior project—it was a community project. It wouldn’t have gotten done without everyone who participated. Whether it was donating products, helping build donation boxes, or driving me to shelters, anything that was done to help me with my project helped benefit women during a vulnerable time of their life,” says Jordan.