This Week on the Podcast: Rochelle Courtenay on Period Poverty, Low Iron, and Empowering Women’s Health
This week, I had the privilege of sitting down with the incredible Rochelle Courtenay, founder of the inspiring charity Share the Dignity. Rochelle and her team are on a mission to end period poverty by providing women in need with access to essential period products—because no one should have to choose between food and managing their period.
Our conversation was raw, enlightening, and deeply motivating. Rochelle shared her journey with Share the Dignity, highlighting the struggles many women face in accessing basic sanitary products. But beyond that, she also opened up about a deeply personal health challenge that has impacted her life and her advocacy for women: low iron levels.
Rochelle’s Battle with Low Iron
Rochelle shared a powerful story about her recent health journey. Her iron levels had dropped as low as 5, leaving her fatigued, foggy, and dealing with painful leg cramps. For years, she’d been navigating these symptoms, thinking they might be linked to menopause or magnesium deficiency. But it wasn’t until she received an iron infusion that the pieces clicked into place.
Now, Rochelle’s iron levels are at an incredible 92, and she describes the transformation as life-changing. She’s no longer battling exhaustion or brain fog, and the cramps that once plagued her are completely gone.
What struck me most during our chat was her reflection on how common low iron is among Australian women, particularly those already facing financial struggles. The Bloody Big Survey, conducted by Share the Dignity, revealed that a staggering 63% of Australian women have been diagnosed with low iron. And yet, for many, the cost of iron supplements—on top of essentials like period products—is out of reach.
Let’s Talk About Iron and Women’s Health
Rochelle’s story is a wake-up call for all of us to prioritize our health and advocate for greater awareness about the impact of low iron. The symptoms—fatigue, brain fog, leg cramps—are often dismissed or misattributed, leaving women to suffer in silence. But as Rochelle said, no woman should have to struggle with health issues that are treatable with the right care and resources.
So, what can we do to help? Raise awareness. Start conversations. Advocate for better access to health resources for all women.
How You Can Support Share the Dignity
This time of year is a perfect opportunity to give back and support women in need. Share the Dignity runs their annual #ItsInTheBag campaign, and it’s an easy and meaningful way to make a difference.
Here’s how you can get involved:
- Create a Gift Bag: Fill a handbag or backpack with essentials like period products, toiletries, and even small luxuries like hand cream or a notebook.
- Donate Locally: Drop your gift bag off at your nearest Bunnings Warehouse. These donations go directly to women experiencing homelessness, fleeing domestic violence, or doing it tough this holiday season.
- Spread the Word: Share this initiative with your friends, family, and community.
By coming together, we can ensure more women have access to the essentials they need—not just for their periods, but for their health and dignity.
Tune In to the Podcast
This conversation with Rochelle is one of the most empowering and eye-opening episodes we’ve re
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