Kristin Lowrey, Access Period founder, received a 2024 Nation of Neighbors℠ empowerment award and a $10,000 grant.
Kristin’s connection to Royal Neighbors runs deep. Her mother, Nila Nielsen, is a member of Royal Neighbors, and Kristin became a Royal Neighbors member when her grandma Anita purchased life insurance for her. “Both my grandma Anita Holstein and great-grandma Selma Paulsen were Royal Neighbors members,” shared Kristin, “and they were both members of the Holly Chapter in Kennard, Nebraska, dedicating their lives to serving others.”
Kristin founded Access Period because of the legacy of strong women that came before her and the voluntarism that shaped their lives. The organization provides free period products to those in need throughout the state.
In 2024 alone, Access Period has served an estimated 37,000 women and distributed more than 2 million period products. “One in four women experiences period poverty in their lifetime,” shared Kristin. “Our mission is to meet this basic need, giving our neighbors what they deserve—more worry-free days.”
One mother shared that before she found Access Period, she was rationing period products for her four daughters. Now that she has unlimited access to all the products her family needs, her daughters walk more confidently every day of the month. “As a mother of two daughters, the stories that mean the most to me are those of parents being able to better provide for their children,” said Kristin.
Access Period will use its Nation of Neighbors grant to provide free period products to the Kearney, Nebraska Access Point. “Along with distributing products through other nonprofits and schools, we have ten Access Points throughout the state where anyone can access free products without restriction,” said Kristin. “This funding will help us provide free period products to the Kearney community and surrounding areas.”
Kristin’s passion and dedication continue to fuel Access Period’s powerful mission to ensure that no one in Nebraska experiences the shame, isolation, or struggle of period poverty. As the organization grows, more women will experience their periods with dignity and confidence.
It’s a mission that goes beyond products—it gives families one less thing to struggle with, and one more thing to celebrate.
