There is a lot of good tidings this year from the motherland as the wind of Excellence which breaks all forms of bad press and mainstream media subjugation is moving powerfully across the Universe. Individuals from Africa are steady showcasing our beauty, innovation, intelligence and prestige, with the latest being Ethiopia’s Freweini Mebrahtu.
According to CNN, Freweini Mebrahtu has dedicated her life to keeping girls in school by designing a reusable menstrual pad and trying to end the cultural stigma around the issue — and because of her work, she has been named the 2019 CNN Hero of the Year.
More than 80% of the pads she manufactures are sold to non-governmental organizations that distribute them for free.
In 2005, Freweini Mebrahtu designed a reusable sanitary pad which she mass produced at her factory in Ethiopia and went on to help 800 000 women and girls as a result. Speaking from her own experience, Mebrahtu has since described what drove her to design the reusable sanitary pad saying, “I remembered (hearing) that it’s actually a curse to have a period…or that it meant I am ready to be married, or (that) I’m being bad.”
Upon receiving her award, Mebrahtu said that, “I don’t even know what to say. I am so humbled and grateful for CNN … this is for all the girls and women everywhere. Dignity for all.”
As the 2019 CNN Hero of the Year, Mebrahtu will receive $100,000 to expand her work. All of the top 10 CNN Heroes for 2019 were honored at Sunday’s gala and will receive a $10,000 cash award.