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The Mountain Home chapter of Military Service Sisters is expanding its “Dignity for Little Sisters” program to include Flippin High School, marking the third local high school to benefit from the initiative aimed at providing free feminine hygiene products to students in need.
Jami Huisjen Scott, Chapter Lead for the Mountain Home chapter, explained that the program’s origins stem from the unique challenges faced by women in the military.
“For the last 76 years women have been serving openly in the United States military, and for all that time women veterans have been dealing with the extra bits and bobs which are required for women in military life, but which have not been provided,” Scott said.
“In the World War II era, it might have been the ‘Victory Red’ lipstick required as part of the Marine uniform. During the Cold War era, it was undergarments and pantyhose. There always seem to be a few extra basic things that female military members must provide for themselves. So we understand the idea of having to scramble for something as basic as feminine hygiene products,” she added.
The “Dignity for Little Sisters” program got its start after a Mountain Home High School student requested feminine hygiene products on her Christmas wish list.
In response to the request, Military Service Sisters partnered with high school guidance counselors to provide free hygiene products in school bathrooms. The program’s success at Mountain Home High School led to its expansion to Cotter High School last year.
“We have a shocking number of children in high school who are not secure in their food or lodging,” Scott said. “And this one young lady asked for feminine hygiene products for Christmas.”
The program’s newest addition of Flippin High School was made possible after a volunteer courier agreed to deliver the hygiene products to the more distant location. As donations of cash and products continue to flow in from group members and other veterans, Military Service Sisters hopes to continue supporting local students in need.
Military Service Sisters founder Elesha Granniss emphasized the impact of the program on struggling students.
“We all know how stressful it can be to be a teenage girl, because we’ve been through it. And these particular girls may also be hungry or may be living in a tent or couch-surfing instead of living in a stable home,” Granniss said. “We are really happy to be able to help in this small way.”
For more information about the “Dignity for Little Sisters” program or to make a donation, interested parties can contact Jami Huisjen Scott at 920-980-8054 or [email protected].
