Empowering Communities to Break the Silence on Menstrual Health with Kamerie Crenshaw, Raven Mills, and Virginia Solis
Founders of Cycle Sisters Academy
Before I introduce the co-founders of Cycle Sisters Academy — Kamerie Crenshaw, Raven Mills, and Virginia Solis (close friends, dedicated mothers, and a power-trio of health expertise) — I want to share why I am so passionate about the movement they are a part of: to make quality menstrual health education, services, and policy infrastructure accessible to all individuals who experience periods worldwide. My anecdote is personal…and a bit descriptive.
Perhaps some of you will relate:
I was in the 5th grade. My school was undergoing renovations, so my homeroom was located in a portable trailer. This meant that the closest restroom was…far — past the portables containing 4th graders and into the administration building. On this day, my mid-afternoon foray to the bathroom began as jolly as any: a nonchalant wave of a hall pass (laminated yet fraying at the sides), followed by a purposeful strut out of the classroom and a leisurely wander to my final destination. What I didn’t see coming was the multi-hour event that followed: an existential crisis prompted by a horrifying sight in the toilet: blood (...mine??). It was my first time seeing blood exit my body from down there (an area I knew I wasn’t supposed to talk about — and, frankly, didn’t even know what to call). Stupefied, I rushed to the nurses’ office and camouflaged into the walls until my dad picked me up. In the car, our (brief) dialogue was conducted in careful whispers (maybe, whatever was happening would contain itself if we willed it out of existence?). At home, my father scavenged some pads from a hidden stash somewhere, and we both waited…anxiously….for Mom to arrive and ‘explain the rest’.
As an 11-year-old growing up in the San Francisco Bay Area, I am embarrassed to admit that I couldn’t name my own anatomy, let alone know how to care and advocate for myself. Like most girls around the world, my period came as a surprise — shrouded in shame from the get-go. Not only was menstrual literacy sorely unaddressed in my formal education (at least not until after I stumbled through my first periods), it was also taboo to discuss among family and friends.
Actually, it was not until college did I begin to feel comfortable talking about my cycle with peers. Cue: flashbacks of bulky pads sticking out from minuscule pant pockets, tampons being shoved up the sleeves of oversized sweatshirts, and stained furniture…
Even today, many women and girls feel pressured to stay silent about their periods — much like the expectation to quietly endure other hormone-related changes, such as symptoms of perimenopause and menopause.
About Cycle Sisters Academy
Cycle Sisters Academy, founded in 2024 by a Registered Nurse, Certified Nursing Assistant, and Peer Youth Specialist, is a Los Angeles-based program that provides and advocates for accessible menstrual health education.
What was the catalyst?
Kamerie, the most entrepreneurial-minded of the trio, recognized the need for puberty and period-related resources when she was hard at work at her other job: being a mom of two growing daughters. After research on local resources for teens and parents turned up limited results, Kamerie brought the idea of an interactive menstrual health curriculum to longtime friends Raven and Virginia.
And, that was that: it took but one afternoon to make it official, and they were off to the races — calling family members and their respective churches for everything from website help to classroom space and outreach support.
Seemingly overnight, the three women alchemized their combined perspectives and social capital into a suite of resources zeroed in on one sticky barrier in their communities: period stigma. And, might I add, with great urgency and vision…
“A lot of times, when people hear ‘periods’, they immediately think: sex and babies.” Raven, who also has two daughters, shares that “parents often think their 8- or 10-year olds are ‘too young’ to learn about sex, so they end up avoiding the topic of periods altogether.”
“But, menstrual health is so much more than that. Periods influence many aspects of an adolescent’s health and growth.” And, delaying menstrual education is often harmful to their overall health and wellbeing.
In particular, “our team has been challenged by the influence of different cultural, religious, and familial beliefs (even immigration and generational histories) on communities’ willingness to sign their youth up for our workshops,” Virginia adds. Since Cycle Sisters Academy is located in Los Angeles County (known as one of the most diverse urban areas — globally), its programs have had the privilege of serving individuals from many social and economic backgrounds. While the impact of this diversity is great, the team has had to navigate many specific belief systems about menstruation and reservations about menstrual health education. They always reiterate : “This is not a sex education class.”
These complicated societal attitudes are partially why their workshops are designed for all community members — not just young girls.
“Because, it is often the case that our youth participants are raised by a stepparent, a sibling, two dads, two moms, a grandpa, or other relative or legal guardian.” Kamerie describes how it is totally possible for this type of education to be delivered inclusively and with great clarity. “And, we want these entire [caregiving units] to see how easy it can be to talk about periods.”
Raven adds: “Our resources are designed for entire communities because the stigma [of having a period] comes from us. Kids don’t inherently know about the stigma. They’re just feeding off of [society].” It’s true — even before I learned what a period was, I already thought it was ‘dirty’.
“Kids don’t inherently know about the stigma [of periods]. They’re just feeding off of us.”
- Raven Mills
“So, when parents and caregivers are actively involved in the workshop and they get to see their kids interacting [with our resources], they can continue that education at home and help fill in the gaps.”
So, what exactly does Cycle Sisters Academy offer?
Winding back the clock to September, 2024, Cycle Sisters launched their pilot cohort in: a virtual workshop offered to girls ages 8 to 15 covering the topics of puberty, periods, and hygiene.
Since then, their offerings have expanded significantly, including: launching a formal chapter of the PERIOD Movement, starting a Youtube channel focused on breaking down period stigma, establishing several partnerships with LA schools and community centers to offer free menstrual products, initiating a Youth Service Advocate Program (opportunity for individuals 13-21 to gain leadership skills and earn service hours as community ambassadors), and perfecting their core offering: a two-hour comprehensive menstrual health workshop for youth and their caregivers (offered in both English and Spanish, priced at $25 per person — as of August 2025 — with scholarship opportunities).
Most recently, the program launched six e-books (covering topics from nutrition to guardian communication), added several critical modules to their curriculum (e.g., health equity), and broadened their mission to serve youth ages 8-21, regardless of gender identity.
Cycle Sisters Academy now also teaches safe and age-appropriate sex education; how to navigate healthy relationships and boundaries (for all age groups); an introductory course empowering students to take charge of their own menstrual product distribution (and help deliver supplies to underserved communities); and, a caregiver workshop designed to help guardians support teens through puberty.
In other words, Cycle Sisters Academy now offers a range of stand-alone and supplementary resources — provided both in-person and virtually — to support the health of menstruating individuals (and their caregivers) in Los Angeles and beyond: support that my 11-year-old self would certainly have appreciated.
The Lives Behind the Business
Behind every business are multi-passionate humans with colorful narratives and life stories. So, here is a little introduction to Virginia, Kamerie, and Raven outside their co-creation of Cycle Sisters Academy. Starting with…
Virginia Solis: a compassionate educator with a level of composure beyond her years. Born and raised in Inglewood, CA — a community with a poverty rate of around 15% — Virginia has an unshakable loyalty to her town and deep commitment to giving back. Virginia’s perspective on life has largely been shaped by her role as a mentor to her younger sister, and as a mother. Outside of her work as the Social Media and Communications Lead at Cycle Sisters Academy, Virginia works as a Certified Nursing Assistant and is passionate about delivering personalized care.
What’s an emotional milestone from Virginia’s journey as a co-founder?:
“When I was able to share with my mom an article in Voyage LA Magazine featuring the impact of our work. After reading the story, [my mom] told me how proud of me she was. And, I could not help but think about all her [trials and tribulations] as an immigrant in this country and all the hard times we endured when I was a kid. [With this business], I am finally getting the opportunity to do something for myself — and bring that back to her as well. Full circle.
Virginia’s favorite menstrual product?
“Anything by Honeypot.” She especially loves their herbal-infused liners that helps ease her cramps.
Next, meet Kamerie Crenshaw: an Olympic-level multi-tasker with a keen intuition and business mindset.
Kamerie spent her early childhood in Central California before moving with her family to Los Angeles at age seven to be closer to top-tier cancer facilities needed by a loved one. Since then, Kamerie has stayed in the San Fernando Valley, pursuing a career as a medical assistant then starting her first business Palm Pushers CPR, a CPR safety training course. Today, Kamerie splits her time between her two businesses, a part-time executive assistant role, and spending time with her children.
What’s an emotional milestone from Kamerie’s journey as a co-founder?
The impressive community that Cycle Sisters Academy has coalesced in just the 10 months that they have been in operation. “It’s been mostly word-of-mouth!”
And, Kamerie’s favorite menstrual products?
“Discs and tampons. Oh, and the Flo App.”
Last but not least — Raven Mills: an empathetic practitioner with an artful demeanor.
Raven is a Registered Nurse and mom of 3: 2 girls and a boy. Read: she runs a pretty tight ship. Growing up in South-Central Los Angeles, Raven’s family later moved to Palmdale — a city 60 miles north of Downtown LA — where her mom started a business running group homes for people living with varying mental health conditions. While Raven never dreamed of owning a business, she witnessed her mom build hers from scratch, and quickly stepped into a similar role when the opportunity to build Cycle Sisters Academy came around.
What’s an emotional milestone from Raven’s journey as a co-founder?
“For me, it was when we had our official photoshoot. It was like…wow…we are really doing this! We are starting a business. Because, I am usually that ‘background friend’ cheering others on. I was never at the forefront of a business. So, yeah…that’s what made it feel real for me.”
And, Raven’s favorite menstrual products?
“I’m very basic.” No frills for her. “Just regular pads with wings.”
Partnerships and Growth
With Cycle Sisters Academy turning one next month, there is a lot these entrepreneurs are building towards. For one, they are excited to contract with more schools and take on opportunities to speak in traditional classroom settings. Secondly, they hope to double down on outreach and follow-ups, particularly in communities where they have not had previous success. And, finally, they are as committed as ever to support their communities through the growing pains of normalizing menstrual health education in schools and at home.
“Cycle Sisters Academy proudly serves youth of all gender identities, ages 8 to 21, as well as parents, guardians, and caregivers seeking support through puberty and menstrual education.” Their programs are “inclusive, culturally sensitive, and designed to empower individuals with knowledge about their bodies, hygiene, healthy relationships, and self-advocacy.”
Further Reading
Dear readers, thank you for engaging in this important topic. Below are additional resources surrounding menstrual health and puberty education.
Read about:
Menstruation literacy — defined as ‘the ability to access, understand, analyze, and apply information about menstruation to their personal health.’
Significant deficiencies in funding for clinical research on women’s health issues (especially menstrual and maternal health).
How menstrual health continues to be a taboo topic in the U.S. and around the world.
How 20 U.S. states still charge upwards of 7% in sales taxes for menstrual products, forcing many who are financially disadvantaged to choose between period essentials and food or transit.
Laws mandating free period products be provided in public facilities like schools and shelters.
Also, to support Cycle Sisters Academy, consider donating an item to their wishlist. All purchases will be provided to workshop participants, free-of-charge.
Lastly, I’d like to shoutout children's books that empower parents to teach their children the names of genitals (an essential skill and also protective factor against sexual violence); one of my favorites is “Your Whole Body” by Lizzie Charbonneau.
With that, it’s been an honor to feature these three ladies and their vision for a safer and healthier world for youth.
See you on the next page!