Nadya Okamoto is a 22-year-old Harvard student. In early 2020, Okamoto co-founded August, a lifestyle brand working to reimagine periods. As the Today Show describes, “August is a growing online community aiming to "re-imagine and redefine the period experience to be powerful and dignified," with members who engage in conversations about how to properly use menstrual cups or what it's like to be a transgender man having a period, for example.”
Nadya Okamoto is also the Founder of PERIOD (period.org), an organization fighting to end period poverty and stigma that she founded at the age of 16. Under her leadership as Executive Director for five years, PERIOD addressed over 1.5 million periods and registered over 800 campus chapters in all 50 states and 50 other countries. In 2017, Nadya ran for public office in Cambridge, MA at age 19 — at the time, becoming the youngest Asian American to run. In 2018, Nadya published her debut book, Period Power: A Manifesto for the Menstrual Movement with publisher Simon & Schuster, which made the Kirkus Reviews list for Best Young Adult Nonfiction of 2018. Nadya is also the former Chief Brand Officer and current Board Member of JUV Consulting, a Generation Z marketing agency based in NYC. She has been recognized on the lists of Forbes 30 under 30, Bloomberg 50 “Ones to Watch” and People Magazine's Women Changing the World.
2. Do you remember the day you got your period? What was your knowledge on periods at the time and what feelings did you have surrounding your period?
“I got my first period when I was 12 and even though I had talked to my mom about what a period was since an early age, I still really freaked out.”
3. What are some myths you would want to see eradicated when it comes to being on your period?
“Periods are not shameful! Our mission at August is to reimagine and redefine the period experience to be powerful. The period product industry sold us one narrative that has kept us silent and ashamed of our bodies; we’re here to put an end to that. Our natural body process is beautiful and powerful!”
4.“Periods are not inherently feminine, it’s a biological phenomenon that impacts the lives of people who are born with a uterus.” Koi.
Can you talk a little about how important it is to include this in the conversation?
“I am continuously inspired by Koi who continues to really highlight the need for inclusive conversations about periods. It’s very important to understand that not all women menstruate and not all menstruators are women. When working to destigmatize menstruation, we must ensure that no is left out, discriminated against, or marginalized. Menstruation is a biological function, it’s not just a “women’s issue." August actually recently partnered with our advisor, Schuyler Bailar, to create a guide for Gender Inclusive Period Talk :https://docsend.com/view/
5.What would a world look like where stigma around periods was abolished?
“I look forward to conversations surrounding menstruation to be inclusive and for periods to be seen as powerful — and to also have menstrual hygiene always considered a right, and never a privilege. Periods make human life possible!”
"Period Power: A Manifesto for the Menstrual Movement" by, Nadya Okamoto