Oliver\u2019s connection to this issue is deeply personal. From ages five to seven, she and her mother were what she describes as \u201chidden homeless,\u201d moving between relatives\u2019 and friends\u2019 homes before spending three months in a Chapel Hill shelter. \u201cThat experience stuck with me,\u201d Oliver explains. \u201cIt inspired me to help others as we were helped.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n <\/div>\n\n\n
![\"\"That](\"https:\/\/design.ncsu.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/jabria-quote-web.jpg\"\n)
\n <\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n <\/div>\n\n\n <\/div>\n \n\n\n\nHer early experiences in other people\u2019s homes and the shelter planted the seeds for a lifelong passion for helping vulnerable communities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Oliver\u2019s artistic background of drawing, painting and creating throughout her childhood eventually led her to industrial design, where she saw an opportunity to pair creativity with advocacy. \u201cIndustrial design isn\u2019t just about aesthetics or products; it\u2019s about solving problems and improving lives in ways that are thoughtful and inclusive,\u201d she says.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Exploring the Complexities of Homelessness<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Oliver\u2019s research focuses on the intersection of homelessness and menstrual hygiene, an area she identifies as underexplored yet deeply impactful. \u201cHomelessness is a massive issue with many layers,\u201d she notes. \u201cBut the female experience is often overlooked, especially around menopause, pregnancy and menstruation.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The complexities of period poverty go beyond the lack of products. Oliver\u2019s work highlights the cascading challenges: limited access to restrooms and private spaces to clean or change, the stigma attached to menstruation and the unsafe conditions many women face. Her research revealed startling statistics, such as a study from the University of St. Louis where nearly 50% of homeless women reported having to choose between food and menstrual products.1<\/a><\/sup><\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cThat\u2019s a ridiculous choice no one should have to face,\u201d Oliver emphasizes. \u201cIt made me realize how critical it is to address this issue with empathy and urgency.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Oliver\u2019s project takes a human-centered approach involving interviews, surveys and extensive secondary research to inform her designs. She connected with Her potential solutions range from creating more affordable and sustainable menstrual products to imagining portable, female-friendly spaces to practice menstrual hygiene. Menstrual products are seen as extras because of stigma,\u201d Oliver says. \u201cBut they\u2019re a necessity, not a luxury.\u201d Oliver acknowledges the broader implications of her work. \u201cPeriod poverty is just one facet of homelessness,\u201d she says. \u201cIt\u2019s tied to systemic poverty, inequality and policies that fail to address basic human needs.\u201d By focusing her designs on alleviating this burden, she hopes to spark broader conversations and inspire action.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Looking ahead, Oliver envisions her work transcending homelessness to benefit women of all economic backgrounds.<\/p>\n\n\n\n During the COVID-19 pandemic, many women resorted to the same makeshift solutions as those living on the streets due to supply shortages. \u201cIt\u2019s ironic that their struggles mirrored those of unhoused women,\u201d notes Oliver. \u201cIt demonstrates just how universal these challenges can be.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Her ultimate goal is to create solutions that break down barriers and address systemic inequities. \u201cI want my designs to truly listen to people\u2019s cries, desires and needs,\u201d Oliver explains. \u201cIt’s about creating something that solves problems and positively impacts lives, not something that ends up in a landfill.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Oliver\u2019s work exemplifies the transformative potential of industrial design. By combining creativity with compassion, she is not only addressing period poverty but also inspiring others to approach social challenges with empathy and understanding. \u201cDesign has the power to change lives,\u201d she says. \u201cIt has the ability to make \u2018invisible\u2019 groups visible and create solutions that drive meaningful change for people, communities, nations, and ultimately impacts the world.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Through her research and advocacy, Oliver offers a powerful reminder that design, at its best, is a force for dignity and equity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n This article first appeared in the spring 2025 issue of Designlife magazine. Explore other articles from this issue.<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n [1] Sebert Kuhlmann, Anne PhD, MPH; Peters Bergquist, Eleanor MA, MSPH; Danjoint, Djenie MPH; Wall, L. Lewis MD, DPhil. Unmet Menstrual Hygiene Needs Among Low-Income Women. Obstetrics & Gynecology 133(2):p 238-244, February 2019. | DOI: 10.1097\/AOG.0000000000003060<\/em><\/p>\n This post was originally published<\/a> in College of Design Blog.<\/em><\/p>","protected":false,"raw":"\n\n\n\n\n Period poverty, defined as the lack of access to menstrual hygiene products, safe facilities and adequate education, is a global issue affecting millions of people. For women experiencing homelessness, this often-overlooked challenge exacerbates an already precarious situation, forcing them to make impossible choices between basic needs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In an industry crowded with consumer electronics, automobiles and medical devices, Jabria Oliver, a recent graduate of the Master of Industrial Design program, is working to create a prominent space designing for social impact.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n Oliver\u2019s connection to this issue is deeply personal. From ages five to seven, she and her mother were what she describes as \u201chidden homeless,\u201d moving between relatives\u2019 and friends\u2019 homes before spending three months in a Chapel Hill shelter. \u201cThat experience stuck with me,\u201d Oliver explains. \u201cIt inspired me to help others as we were helped.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n Her early experiences in other people\u2019s homes and the shelter planted the seeds for a lifelong passion for helping vulnerable communities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Oliver\u2019s artistic background of drawing, painting and creating throughout her childhood eventually led her to industrial design, where she saw an opportunity to pair creativity with advocacy. \u201cIndustrial design isn\u2019t just about aesthetics or products; it\u2019s about solving problems and improving lives in ways that are thoughtful and inclusive,\u201d she says.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Oliver\u2019s research focuses on the intersection of homelessness and menstrual hygiene, an area she identifies as underexplored yet deeply impactful. \u201cHomelessness is a massive issue with many layers,\u201d she notes. \u201cBut the female experience is often overlooked, especially around menopause, pregnancy and menstruation.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n The complexities of period poverty go beyond the lack of products. Oliver\u2019s work highlights the cascading challenges: limited access to restrooms and private spaces to clean or change, the stigma attached to menstruation and the unsafe conditions many women face.
\u201cIt\u2019s not safe for a woman to be homeless,\u201d says Oliver. \u201cBeing in a menstrual cycle makes them even more vulnerable to assault and exploitation.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n![\"Oliver](\"https:\/\/design.ncsu.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/jabria-oliver-2-web.jpg\")
Designing for Impact<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
the same Chapel Hill shelter she lived in as a child to better understand the lived experiences of unhoused women. \u201cThe best design comes from collaboration,\u201d she explains. \u201cListening directly to people\u2019s stories ensures that solutions are practical and effective.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
She also considers systemic changes, such as distributing free products through widespread networks similar to newspaper stands or addressing the high costs of menstrual products exacerbated by the tampon tax, the sales tax rate that a state, county and\/or city government collects on the retail purchase of menstrual products.<\/p>\n\n\n\nEmpathy at the Core<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Exploring the Complexities of Homelessness<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\u201cIt\u2019s not safe for a woman to be homeless,\u201d says Oliver. \u201cBeing in a menstrual cycle makes them even more vulnerable to assault and exploitation.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n