Description of the Guest: Meet Maanya Pandey, a remarkable young woman who is the founder and president of Love for Red, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to fighting period poverty in Iowa through service, education, and advocacy. Maanya's journey began when she was just 15 years old, and she's been on a mission to make a difference ever since.
Highlights of the Conversation with Timeline:
0:24: Introduction - Tej welcomes the audience and introduces Maanya Pandey as an extraordinary young leader.
1:30: The Global Issue of Period Poverty - Tej discusses the global issue of period poverty and asks Maanya about the incident that inspired her to start her own nonprofit.
2:05: Maanya's Mother's Experience - Maanya shares her mother's experience which deeply impacted her.
2:31: Instagram Post Sparks Interest - Maanya talks about how she became interested in period poverty during her sophomore year of high school after seeing an Instagram post about women in prisons facing difficulties due to lack of menstrual products.
3:02: Realization of Period Poverty - Maanya emphasizes that period poverty isn't limited to prisons; it's also prevalent in communities and even in developed countries like the United States.
3:57: The Birth of Love for Red - Love for Red, because she couldn't find organizations in Iowa that addressed period poverty comprehensively.
4:15: Love for Red's Approach - Maanya describes Love for Red's multifaceted approach to fighting period poverty, including service, education, and advocacy.
5:29: Destigmatizing Period Poverty - Maanya discusses the importance of destigmatizing period poverty through education and awareness.
6:01: Advocacy Efforts - Maanya shares Love for Red's advocacy efforts, including their "Day on the Hill" event at the Iowa State Capitol, where they push for free menstrual product access in schools.
7:27: The "Walk of Shame" - Maanya highlights the challenges students face when they don't have access to menstrual products at school.
8:00: Donating Period Packs to Schools - Maanya talks about Love for Red's initiative to donate period packs to schools, ensuring that they are easily accessible to students.
9:32: Support System - Tej asks about the support Maanya receives from her parents, family, and friends in her nonprofit endeavors.
10:17: Key Roles within the Organization - Maanya explains the roles of student ambassadors within Love for Red, emphasizing the importance of gender inclusivity.
13:37: Funding Challenges - They discuss the funding challenges Love for Red faces and the difficulty of aligning their cause with corporate interests.
14:57: The Catch-22 of Expansion and Funding
15:53: support and funding for Love for Red.
16:03: Sponsorship Message
17:19: Back with Maanya
18:08: Collaborating with Manufacturers
20:35: the challenges of time management as a college student and how delegation and support are key to managing her responsibilities.
21:40: Impactful Moments
22:59: Stories of Shared Experiences
24:01: Impact on Schools and Teachers - Maanya shares heartwarming stories about teachers who have gone the extra mile to help students in need.
26:06: Breaking the Stigma - Maanya discusses the importance of breaking the stigma around periods and period poverty.
26:38: Advice for Young Activists - Tej asks Maanya for advice she would give to young activists who want to make a difference in their communities.
27:18: Taking the First Step - Maanya emphasizes the importance of taking the first step in advocacy and change.
28:33: Finding Your Passion - Maanya encourages individuals to find their passion and build upon it to create positive change.
29:21: Closing Remarks - Tej expresses her admiration for Maanya's wisdom and the impact she's making at a young age.
30:04: Conclusion - The podcast concludes with gratitude for Maanya's inspirational journey and commitment to change.
