Joy and Justice Tour Concludes in Columbia
The Joy and Justice Tour recently concluded its final stop in Columbia, focusing on the health and basic needs of Black girls and women. A Columbia event on Saturday gathered local organizations to address health, wellness, and access to basic needs for Black girls and women in the Midlands.
Organizers intended the event to create a space for discussions about the challenges faced by Black girls. Chancée Lundy, executive director of the Southern Black Girls and Women’s Consortium, stated that young girls discuss mental health, economic uncertainty, Black maternal health, and physical health during listening sessions. According to the CDC’s 2023 Youth Risk Behavior Survey, 40% of Black high school students reported persistent feelings of sadness or hopelessness in the previous year, an increase from 27% in 2013.
Shay Turman, founder of the Columbia-based nonprofit Revolution Red, stated that her organization provides menstrual hygiene products to women and girls across South Carolina. Turman noted that period products cost about $20 a month on average, and 1 in 3 women in South Carolina between 12 and 44 live below the federal poverty line, often choosing between food and pads. Revolution Red collaborates with school nurses and social workers statewide, supplying over 10,000 pads to schools each quarter. T.K. Curtis, executive director of the South Carolina Nurses Association, highlighted that a lack of period products can lead to girls missing school.
Other Midlands groups present at the event included the Relief Collective and Every Black Girl, which focus on leadership development, community connection, and issues like bullying. Anita Garrett, representing the Relief Collective and Every Black Girl, emphasized the importance of creating supportive spaces, noting that joy is essential for a safe environment.
