Share The Dignity is a wonderful organisation that was founded by Brisbane woman Rochelle Courtenay after reading a story on Mamamia that in Australia many homeless women and women in domestic violence shelters had to face unthinkable indignities during their monthly period.
She then decided to organise collection points around Australia so that women can donate sanitary items so that women dont have to go with out.
After this success last year Rochelle launched the #itsinthebag campaign. As part of the scheme, members of the public are encouraged to fill unused handbags with essential supplies such as sanitary items, shampoo, sunscreens, hats and scarves then deposit them at collection points for women who are doing it tough over christmas.
I was approached by local girl and Share the Dignity representative Tenielle who asked if our Gladstone office could be a collection point it was a no brainer of course! Other collection points around CQ were CQ Uni in Rockhampton and John Street Community Centre and Coastline Signs and Graphics in Yeppoon just to name a few.
I was completely touched and overwhelmed each day when people would drop off bag after bag and every bag had so much thought put into it there were lovely notes of encouragement left as well as so much effort put into the products in the bags.
Angela Larose from Essential Body and Training brought in a boot full of bags from her members
The response from the community over all has been amazing all of those bags will stay local and go to local women in need.
A group of ladies from Drakes IGA in Rockhampton also got together to donate these bags
With almost 90,000 bags collected Australia wide, this week over 200 bags will be delivered to local women in the Livingstone area.
Community Development Councillor Jan Kelly said that whether the women receiving donations are homeless, in emergency housings or escaping domestic violence every woman has the right to their dignity.
“The donations we have received will ensure we are able to provide some comfort to those who need our services.
“We would like to thank everyone in the community for donating. We have been overwhelmed with the generosity everyone has shown. Special mention to; Yeppoon Forum Communicators, Yeppoon Lions and Lionesses and Keppel Coast Girl Guides. As well as the Uniting Church for funds and items raised from the afternoon tea at the Yeppoon Choral Society concerts.” said Cr Kelly.
In gladstone alone we collected a total of 186 bags over just two weeks.
What a wonderful generous community we live in.