The Blue List Founders, Whitney Blackmon and Kiirsten Lederer. Interviewed by Hawa Balde, TBL Summer Intern.

A message from Hawa and a Call to Action:

“This interview will give you insight on how The Blue List advocates for change and works with different organizations to serve people in need. Help us spread our mission by forwarding this conversation to a friend.”

How does TBL advocate? What are you advocating for?

WB: We collect information from the organizations we partner with regarding the people with periods they are directly serving and we use that to understand the need. We share our understanding and in turn ask for support in providing a solution, which for us is our core program, TheBasics. Having consistent access to period products is an issue for 1 in 4 women within the U.S. and this does not include people with periods that do not identify as female. One thing we’re advocating for is a new way of counting people with periods. It is no longer acceptable to only count women as people with periods because it leaves people out - and undercounted is underserved. We are also advocating for the spaces that serve people with periods to be an access point for accessing period products, think gender neutral restrooms. Female designated restrooms usually have period products available, but people with periods utilize gender neutral restrooms as well, and period products need to be made available in those spaces.

KL: Period products should be free and accessible - regardless of gender identity or socioeconomic status. We want to move the conversation around periods forward from being a gendered conversation to create a dialogue about and demonstrable change for people with periods. Our advocacy efforts are streamlined annually and centered on an important topic to allow for a deep dive into the landscape, legislation, advocates, educators, and other key components and players that allow us to tell a story to create awareness and generate specific, simple action towards equity and equality from our community.

As an organization, does it help to tell individual stories to advocate for your cause?

WB: As of yet, we have not shared the personal stories of those we serve and that’s simply because we haven’t had the capacity to. We serve an ongoing need for people with little to no access to period products. Every month when they bleed, it’s a moment of crisis. And that is really the only story that matters right now. As we grow and our capacity expands we will definitely make space for more personal storytelling because it’s compelling and a beautiful way to connect human beings. But right now we’re doing everything we can to ensure people aren't bleeding all over themselves because they can’t afford a tampon. I think our $10 question is as close to a personal story that we’ve shared. “You’re down to your last $10 for the week. Your period started today. What do you spend your money on?”.

KL: We are naturally inclined toward a human-human connection so individual storytelling is an invaluable tool. One of the challenges we face is connecting our membership and prospective donors to who our ‘client’ is because we’re telling their story - not them. We’re doing that out of necessity - access to the population we’re supporting (some of whom are under 18 years of age), general privacy concerns, and being conscious of where their time and energy is spent. One of my favorite TBL moments was having the director of The Door speak at one of our events because she is in the room with the people we’re supporting, so the more amazing connections we make like that, the more alive our storytelling becomes.

What motivates your advocacy?

WB: I believe through TheBasics, overtime we can inspire a new social welfare system. I also believe equitable access to basic resources for all people is possible, and that belief motivates our advocacy. Also this idea of ‘bring your kid to work day’. The day when Kiirsten and I can bring our kids to TBL offices and we’ll have them make copies and answer the phone - if making copies and answering the phone is even a thing by then. I think that’ll be fun.

KL: Exactly what Whitney said - especially because using a photocopier is my least favorite administrative task. We want to create a sustainable system that puts our current model / program out of business, so to speak. We share a belief that humankind should be kind and we want to translate that feeling into tangible outcomes for a balanced and fair world. 

Has COVID19 impacted your advocacy efforts, and if so, in what ways?

WB: Crisis on top of crisis on top of crisis. It’s challenging because we are already advocating for sustainable solutions for an on-going crisis which is lack of access to period products. All of the factors that may have negatively impacted ones’ access, economic, geography, age, gender - COVID has exacerbated those burdens and the worst part is that we will not be able to assess the damage anytime soon. What do you do in these types of situations? It’s like having an overflowing basement, water rising to the main level, flooding everything you own, meanwhile the attic is on fire, burning down your house.

KL: The global health crisis has solidified the case for what we’ve believed since the inception of TBL: basic resources should be a basic right. Periods don’t pause for a pandemic and the pandemic has only magnified the cracks in the system. We’ve worked to tailor TheBasics to react to urgent needs and we are doubling down on our advocacy efforts in terms of accessibility to products because so many people have been forced to reimagine what spaces of access look like. With shelf-shortages and increased financial disadvantages, it’s more important than ever to ensure that movement is being made so that people with periods aren’t forced to gamble with their health and hygiene.

How does your work make a person's life better?

WB: My biggest hope is that our work promotes inner peace for a person who is struggling. And that we can continue to be a catalyst for one person to have one less thing to worry about.

KL: Every single person should have agency over their own body. I hope we’re helping people feel comfortable, safe, healthy, and empowered about their health and wellbeing.

What are the ways you get people to support your cause?

WB: Storytelling, imagery, documenting our work and sharing that information.

KL: We have made ourselves, and therefore TBL, accessible to everyone. It makes it simpler to get involved in a cause when there isn’t a real or perceived barrier to entry.

What organizations does TBL support?

WB: Through TheBasics we support organizations and spaces that provide basic resources to those in need, safe shelter, food and other supportive services. Our current partners include The Door and WSCAH. We partnered with Volunteers of America of greater New York and New York City Relief for our COVID relief effort.

KL: It’s been meaningful to work with these partners because they've done the work to create safe spaces. It’s helped the growth of TBL and my personal growth to connect with the people whose career paths have led them to be leaders in these organizations - their insights are invaluable.

What are some future goals that TBL is trying to accomplish?

WB: Engaging with leaders and innovators within the social welfare space. Collaborating with for-profit companies with brand dna that aligns with our mission. Bringing on more volunteers and agents of change across demographics.

KL: We’re invested in turning TheBasics into a recognized and scalable model so that more people can be served this way as we work to advocate for systemic change.

In what way(s) can TBL grow as a company?

WB: Growing our team is pivotal. Having access to more funding sources will make a measurable difference in our ability to expand our reach through TheBasics. Having you return as our intern next summer, because you’re awesome!

KL: We’re excited to expand internally - bringing people into the TBL orbit who have experience in areas like grant writing, fundraising, and partnerships is super important to our next steps.

How has TBL changed the way you view the world?

WB: I find more joy in the little things. I have a greater appreciation for the efforts of others.

KL: I have an acute awareness now of what a luxury it is to be able to self-care and have a choice about where your energy is directed. Recognizing that makes me want to change it.

How does TBL motivate the personal decisions you make for your own life?

WB: I am less afraid. In the very beginning stages of TBL I didn’t really know what it would be or how it would work. I just knew that it was worth my time to navigate this path. For a long time I didn't have a personal life, all of my decisions were based on “what’s best for TBL?” I rarely thought about myself at all. TBL thrived, I however found myself feeling invisible and afraid that I could not really exist as an individual in order for TBL to exist as an organization. I was really struggling with this internal conundrum of “how do I take care of myself and my business?” And then sort of out of nowhere, I moved to Italy for work, my other career - and for the first time in a while I had to make personal decisions that had very little to do with TBL. And it was during this time where I felt the sincerest support of my co-founder Kiirsten and our board and community. They were all like “go, enjoy your life, don’t worry so much - we are here.” And I did. Choosing myself was one of the best decisions I’ve ever made and in hindsight I recognize that TBL motivated that decision.

KL: I’ve become more conscious of need vs. want, of wastefulness, and how I use my spending power. Being a part of TBL has helped me practice gratitude in a new and daily way that recognizes where I’ve come from, where I am, and where I’m going - and how I can learn from the past, be useful today, and focus my energy on movement for the future.