Abigail Suleman (She/Her) is a menstrual advocate and co-founder of Blood Buds, an organization founded to combat period poverty and care for the environment by making sustainable menstruation accessible to all people. Abigail is a recent graduate from the University of Illinois Chicago Center of Excellence in Maternal and Child Health where she earned her Master of Public Health in Maternal and Child Health Epidemiology. Driven by the stories of her loving Nigerian family, she seeks opportunities to understand the intersections between menstrual equity, racial justice, breastfeeding, and global health. Blood Buds grew from Abigail’s desire to address needs like period poverty, partner with youth and marginalized communities, and promote environmentally conscious action. She is now committed to advancing equity in sexual, reproductive, and family health by promoting equitable research and participating in spaces of storytelling as a doula and advocate. In the next year, she would like to strengthen her epidemiologic skills and work with community-based organizations domestically and in francophone populations. She is also interested in pursuing a clinical career to improve the quality of family health & wellness. If you are interested in connecting with Abigail and learning more about her work and passions, you can find her on LinkedIn!
In her blog post, Abigail applies MCH competencies 9 (Developing Others Through Teaching, Coaching, and Mentoring) and 10 (Interdisciplinary/Interprofessional Team Building) to her journey in founding Blood Buds, an organization founded to combat period poverty and care for the environment by making sustainable menstruation accessible to all people. “Blood Buds became a firmly rooted registered student organization. Students entered the space ready to share, lead, and learn to advocate for themselves, their pain, and their stories. It was not just about having period products; it was also about menstrual health and equity.” Continue reading more about Abigail’s health equity efforts here!