MONTGOMERY COUNTY, Md. (DC News Now) — A Montgomery County non-profit that provides bras, feminine products, and more for women in the region received national recognition on the syndicated TV program “The Kelly Clarkson Show” as well as a $100,000 donation to continue making a difference.
“I Support the Girls” won the recognition of Good Neighbor of the year 2024. They were one of several nonprofits across the country nominated for the recognition.
“For whatever reason they picked us, and I got to go back there. It was amazing,” said Dana Marlowe, the Founder and Executive Director of ‘I Support the Girls.’
A bra as well as feminine products make a difference in a woman’s life especially women who don’t have easy access to them. Access to those things is what the non-profit “I Support the Girls” provides.
DC News Now talked to Marlowe about how the nonprofit started.
“I really needed new bras,” said Marlowe.
Little did she know that her need would soon mean meeting other’s needs.
About 9 years ago, she said she lost some weight and while trying to get some new bras she asked a sales associate what to do with her old ones.
“She said four words that truly changed the course of my life in the past decades,” said Marlowe. “She said well homeless women need bras. I hadn’t thought about that, and it was like that light bulb moment,” she added.
A moment in 2015 that led to a Facebook post, then led to a collection for donation.
“I called a homeless shelter in D.C. that I had donated to in the past and I said I just learned about this do you need any bras? and they said yes how soon can you bring them in? And I did not know that. And I said what else do you need,” said Marlowe.
She said they asked her to consider maxi pads and tampons because things like that weren’t included in the shelter’s budget and those feminine hygiene products were not donated as much
“That very first collection was in July 2015. It wasn’t 16 bras, it eventually became over 1000 bras and 7100 menstrual hygiene products,” said Marlowe. “Through the generosity of folks not only donating financially but also in-kind products and local D.C. area businesses jumping in,” she added.
‘I Support the Girls” was created. It officially became a nonprofit in early 2016. The name of the nonprofit speaks for itself but the name is a double entendre.
“I’m somebody who likes tongue in cheek humor, so I came up with “I Support the Girls’,” said Marlowe gesturing towards the chest area.
Fast forward to 2024, the non-profit was one of several across the country nominated for the 2024 Good Neighbor of the Year — they won the recognition and money.
“I was totally blown away,” said Marlowe.
DC News Now asked her what it meant to be recognized.
“It makes you stop and think of how many incredible people have been able to support this one tiny little light bulb of an idea that started in a Bethesda dressing room and how it snowballed over the last 9 years of so many people volunteering their time, their brain power, giving their money,” said Marlowe.
The nonprofit finishing the year strong.
“Closing out this year of 2024 having donated just over 36 million products. My 16 bras have multiplied,” said Marlowe.
As for the $100,000 she said it will go a long way in making a difference in 2025, which will be a milestone year for the nonprofit.
“$100,000 is a lot of money. We’re super grateful to the Kelly Clarkson show and Starbucks for this generous gift to wrap up this year because it’s going to help empower us in 2025 as we celebrate our 10th anniversary in the middle of the year to have a greater impact to do more,” said Marlowe.
It’s all about giving back to the community with the money they’ve received.
“We’re going to host some pop-ups ups where we’re providing new bras and underwear in one size and style folks are seeking as well as hygiene products. and there’s other toiletries as well depending on what’s been donated,” Marlowe said. “We’ll just do some pop-ups around the dc area probably in areas where it’s harder to get access to those products. So, we’re going to be very strategic in the location so we can serve the most number of people,” she added.
Marlowe said people can also help support the girls.
The nonprofit said they are looking for people to donate money that can cover the cost of someone’s menstrual cycle or any amount. Any organization that needs products can request it on the nonprofit’s website.
