Original article written by The Virgin Islands Consortium
In a significant effort to promote menstrual equity and support student well-being, Miss St. Croix Educational Complex 2023-2024 Nayelis St. Omer has successfully led an initiative to install free menstrual pad dispensers at St. Croix Educational Complex High School.
The project, spearheaded by Nayelis, reflects her dedication to addressing the need for menstrual hygiene products. Recognizing that periods should not hinder a student’s ability to attend school or participate fully in their education, Nayelis worked to sponsor and secure the dispensers. The pad dispensers are now accessible to all students at no cost.
Menstrual hygiene is not a luxury, it’s a necessity. These dispensers are here to provide free and easy access to pads so no student ever has to feel ashamed, uncomfortable or unprepared at school. This is about empowering young women and breaking down the stigma surrounding menstruation.
Nayelis St. Omer
Community Support and Collaboration
The four dispensers, installed in January 2025 with the help of maintenance crew members Tyrone Davis and Iman Dasouza, aim to support students who may otherwise face challenges accessing these essential products.
The initiative has been warmly received by the school administration and students. Assistant Principal Ms. George commended Nayelis for her efforts, saying, “You should feel accomplished because you followed through with your plan.”
A Model for Change
Nayelis expressed gratitude to the community for supporting her vision and emphasized that this project is only the beginning of her advocacy journey. She hopes this initiative will inspire others in the community to support efforts that empower young women and promote equality.
She reminded students to take good care of the dispensers, which represent more than just a practical solution. They are a powerful symbol of dignity, access and equality, and an important step toward fostering a supportive school environment.
The project aligns with global efforts to promote menstrual equity, stressing the importance of ensuring that students can focus on their education without unnecessary barriers.
