Teacher launches hygiene initiative to assist students in times of challenge

ST. CROIX — Krystal Martin has been a middle school teacher for over eight years. In that time, she’s helped students meet and exceed academic goals. She has also assisted them to excel socially, laying a foundation to guide them into becoming responsible, confident young adults.

To that end, and beginning in 2019, Martin launched “Ms. Martin’s Lady Pouches Initiative”, where she transformed her classroom at John H. Woodson Junior High School into a safe haven where students could receive free hygiene products.

“When we started the school year in 2019, I was so heartbroken to see that many of my female students weren’t prepared if they had a cycle accident in school and many did not even know what to expect during their cycle,” she said of their first menstruation. Some students also have felt the need to refresh after gym classes or during lunch break — with deodorant products — after spending time outdoors in the mid-day sun.

“I asked the community then to assist and began giving my female students, small bags filled with pads, tampons and wipes. I also made sure I had ‘lady supplies’ in my classroom for any female student in need,” Martin said. The program was relaunched this year after a hiatus due to disruptions in the regular school schedule that prevented her from seeking donations, and her supplies on hand dwindled.