Women Breaking Barriers: Les Dames Cullman create a culture of caring for women and girls
When Laura Quick moved to Cullman, she left behind an entire network of friends and business associates. Meeting new people in a smaller community was difficult, and she wanted a way to connect with a group of like-minded women. That idea morphed into Les Dames Cullman.
"Les dames" is French for "the ladies." This year the ladies celebrated a project impacting the lives of hundreds of girls who are just becoming young ladies.
The group, which is now 200 women strong, raised money to get feminine products dispensers into local high schools. Inside the dispensers are free, completely organic sanitary pads and tampons.
"We have these installed in five local high schools so far. We have three more that will be installed before school starts. They will be in every high school in our community," Quick said. "We partnered with a company called Aunt Flow, which was created by an 18- or 19-year-old young lady. She was like, 'This is not fair. If toilet paper is provided, shouldn't feminine hygiene be provided as well?'"
It's a question many Alabama women have also asked. In 2022, Gov. Kay Ivey signed a bill establishing a program to provide free feminine hygiene products in low-income schools. Les Dames Cullman goes a step further by making products available for all students regardless of income or the many very personal reasons they may be needed.
"Well, I think I was one of these girls," Quick said. "You know, I grew up with a single dad and lived a lot of times with my grandparents. My mom wasn't in my life. So, nobody told me I was going to start my period."
Les Dames Vice President Amy Carter is on the school board. She sees firsthand how lack of access to period products affects students' lives.
鈥淲e know that the number one result of period poverty is insecurity and loss of dignity. And a lot of the times, chronic absenteeism, which starts a cycle. And we need these kids to be in school,鈥� Carter said.
Addressing period poverty is just one example of how Le Dames Cullman is making a real difference in the lives of girls and women.
"We've all been in that situation in our life where we walk into a room and we don't have a seat at the table," Carter said. "There's so many different reasons, but we want everybody to be able to walk in the room when they're with our organization and have a place."
While period poverty is a serious issue; Les Dames Cullman have fun sponsoring events like Cocktails for a Cause, a Witch鈥檚 Ride, and Matriarchs in March honoring influential women for their individual achievements and mentoring.
"We've been so fortunate because there's we live in a community with so many fantastic women who have paved the way for us," Carter said.
And it turns out a simple search for friendship has laid the groundwork for a powerful network of women.
"And so we have seen a lot of bridges being built between women. And I think has been the most unexpected gift that's come out of this and what we were hoping for," Quick said.
It's a gift they're willing to share with all the ladies of Cullman.