Mary Beatrice

Who is Mary?

Mary Beatrice Davidson Kenner (May 17, 1912 – January 13, 2006, age 93) was born in Monroe, North Carolina and came from a family of inventors. Mary was an African-American inventor most famous for inventing the sanitary belt.

Mary graduated from high school in 1931. She attended Howard University and was unable to finish due to financial difficulties.

Mary was a florist who invented a number of things that improved the lives of women and people who needed extra assistance. 

What she Invented?

The Sanitary belt and tissue holder.

There were not many options for women who were menstruating back in the day. They used portions of cloth or rags. It wasn’t suitable to leave the house. There were tampons, but it was considered scandalous to use them. Mary’s invention addressed the problem.

She added a cloth pouch with a moisture-proof seal that attached to the belt. You put rags or cotton into the pouch. It was the pocket for padding and the moisture proof seal that made it revolutionary. Mary Beatrice Davidson had invented the first generation of what would eventually be called the sanitary pad or napkin.

It meant you could actually go out in public without fear of getting blood everywhere.

When she first patented it, a company sent a representative down to speak to her. “One day I was contacted by a company that expressed an interest in marketing my idea. I was so jubilant,” she said. “I saw houses, cars, and everything about to come my way.” A company rep drove to Kenner’s house in Washington to meet with their prospective client. “Sorry to say, when they found out I was black, their interest dropped. The representative went back to New York and informed me the company was no longer interested.”  It was 30 years before anyone picked up the patent and started manufacturing them.

“I hope her offsprings are getting royalties checks?!!”

She also designed an improved bathroom tissue holder that allowed the dangling end of the tissue to be reachable at all times.

When her sister Mildred, an inventor in her own right, was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis, Mary invented and patented a tray and carrier that attaches to a walker.  Mary also invented a back washer that attaches to the wall for people who would find it hard to wash their backs any other way.

By 1957 Mary had saved enough money to buy her first-ever patent: a belt for sanitary napkins. It was long before the arrival of disposable pads, and women were still using cloth pads and rags during their period. Mary recommended an adjustable belt with an inbuilt, moisture-proof napkin pocket, making it less likely that menstrual blood could leak and stain clothes.

Kenner continued inventing for all her adult life. She eventually filed five patents in total, more than any other African-American woman in history.

Why you should go plant base.

More and more women of color are suffering from fibroids, fertility, and childbirth issues due to feminine hygiene products. Many companies use dangerous chemicals such as formaldehyde, bleach, synthetic fibers, artificial fragrances, toxic adhesive, and much more. Vaginal health is extremely important to produce a life and to maintain your own life. Many women are experiencing heavier periods and unbalanced vaginal pH levels. It is time that we get to the root of the problem (Vaginal health).

Doctors are prescribing various types of birth control to minimize cramps and women’s natural menstrual cycle, instead of dealing with the cause of the matter. Birth control adds to the problem. It may lighten your period and cramps, but it can increase infertility issues and cause your hormones to be unbalanced, along with other factors.

THE HONEY POT COMPANY

(plant-based feminine care products)

Beau Dixon founder of The Honey Pot Co started her company by necessity.

“ The whole reason I started The Honey Pot Co was because I was suffering from bacterial vaginosis for months and couldn’t get relief. One night, an ancestor visited me in a dream and gifted me with a vision to heal myself. With her help, I created the Honey Pot Co to solve for what other brands wouldn’t, using the power of herbs.”

The Honey Pot menstrual tampons are 100% cotton! They help you stay balanced during your period with natural menstrual products. Their products eliminate bacteria and cramps with herbal-infused, chemical-free sanitary pads and tampons. You can feel safe and confident knowing The Honey Pot organic pads and tampons, provides health and 100% natural ingredients.

Your period is coming, if it is not already here. So do yourself and black businesses a favor by keeping the black dollar in our circle and support The Honey Pot Co. Your vagina will thank you!

Hope you enjoyed

Mommi Valena

Links:

Website: thehoneypot.co

Instagram: thehoneypotco

Products for purchase at Target

Sources:

dlwstoryteller.com -(Mary Beatrice Davidson- Inventor Of The Sanitary Pad)

Google Images: Mary Beatrice Davidson Kenner

Wikipedia.org -Mary Kenner