High-school Girl Scout asks Hope Mills to back ‘Project Freedom’ menstrual-equity effort

Amber Johnson introduced herself as a Grace Creek High School senior and Girl Scout and described "Project Freedom: Empowering Period Dignity," a Gold Award project aimed at addressing period poverty in local schools. "Period poverty is a pressing issue that impacts students and families in Hope Mills and beyond," Johnson said, outlining a four-part plan: educational workshops, school 'gap closets' stocked with free menstrual products, county budget advocacy for sustainable replenishment, and broader community outreach.

Johnson said she has held workshops and community events and plans collection drives; she invited the town to host a donation box and include publicity materials in the manager’s report. "To ensure a lasting impact, I'm collaborating with Senator Applewhite to propose the county budget allocation for the purchase and replenishment of menstrual products," she said.

Commissioners and staff volunteered practical support: placing a collection box in the town lobby, running Johnson’s flyer through the manager’s communications, and including the drive in town outreach. Johnson gave dates and details for a planned collection drive at Lewis Chapel Missionary Baptist Church and said items requested include pads, unscented wipes and sanitizer.

Why it matters: Commissioners framed the project as a community-led remedy to a public-health and school-attendance problem — providing products at schools can reduce missed class time and stigma.

What’s next: Staff agreed to coordinate logistics for a lobby collection box and to include Johnson’s flyer in town messaging; Johnson said she will follow up with the manager’s office.