Helping Women in Need With Some Intimate Necessities
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By Cherri Gregg
CAMDEN, N.J. (CBS) -- Five years ago, when Cherry Hill residents Joanie Balderstone (left) and Rebecca McIntire (right) gave gently used business clothing to a homeless day shelter in Camden, they learned there was a much bigger need among the women who stayed there.
"Women who were there appreciated it," recalls McIntire, "but they didn't have a decent bra to wear underneath it. And we were unaware of that need. And we asked what else they needed, and they said they also needed pads and tampons."
After learning about the need for unmentionables, this married couple held a "Mardi Bra" party, inviting friends and family to donate.
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"We collected something like 80 brand-new bras, and we took something like several thousands of pads and tampons into Camden," says Balderstone. "No one showed up with just one item -- people showed up with a bagful of items."
Two years later, they started the nonprofit organization Distributing Dignity, which works with organizations that serve women who are aging out of foster care, fleeing domestic violence, or dealing with bouts of homelessness. They also help women who may be dealing with life-altering illness.
"We've gotten a lot of positive feedback," says Balderstone. "Women have said things like 'I thought bras were only for rich people,' or 'I didn't know that I deserve to wear something this pretty.' "
Distributing Dignity has been featured in local media and recently on huffingtonpost.com. And once the word got out, donations began pouring in from across the country, helping them expand their reach to women across the region. And their vision is to go even bigger -- to help women across the nation.
"It's growing," says McIntire, "and I feel it's just an honor to be in a position to make a difference."
"We're really giving them more than bras and pads and tampons," adds Balderstone. "We're giving them a message that 'you're worth it.' "
Distributing Dignity is accepting in-kind and monetary donations. They're also looking for partner organizations that work with women. In addition, the group is holding a fundraiser in March. Details are at www.distributingdignity.org.
Hear the extended interview with Balderstone and McIntire in this CBS Philly podcast (runs 9:02)...
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