Member feature written by Meg Baresic
I thought I’d seen enough pink to last a lifetime after recently watching the Barbie movie. I was wrong. Upon stepping foot inside Share the Dignity’s office on Saturday morning, I was met by a wall of women proudly donning the organisation’s signature pink tops. A group of volunteers and staff members were on site for the morning to pack ‘It’s in the Bag’ donations, and I was lucky enough to be invited along by Volunteer Coordinator Nicky Pearson to get a feel for the organisation.
Operating out of a pink building (yes, it’s true) on the corner of a bustling main road in Virginia, Share the Dignity is an organisation that makes a real and tangible difference to the lives of women, girls, and those who menstruate. In particular, the organisation focusses on helping those who are experiencing or at risk of homelessness, domestic violence, or poverty.
Since its inception, Share the Dignity has shipped over 350,000 period products to remote Indigenous communities, with over 3000 active volunteers helping to make this possible. The organisation’s primary mission is to distribute period products to those in need and work to achieve menstrual equity in Australia. As Queensland Events Lead and volunteer Allison tells me, “We have seen a massive increase in demand post-COVID and with the cost-of-living crisis. A lot of people need help.”
Allison has volunteered with Share the Dignity since 2019 and is currently responsible for helping to organise and facilitate key events. When I ask Allison what volunteering at Share the Dignity looks like, she tells me, “It’s a very supportive and understanding organisation, and you can dip in and out depending upon what’s happening in your life. We take you as you are, and you do what you can.” Volunteering with Share the Dignity really is that simple.
Allison also tells me about a standout memory that she thinks of often. “We had a stall set up one day, and a father and his daughter came over to see us. His daughter had just gotten her first period, and we could tell he was so overwhelmed and unsure. We were able to give his daughter bags and bags of supplies, probably enough to last her six months, and that felt really special.” Allison tells me she often gets goosebumps just thinking about it. I wipe my eyes and smile.
Speaking to her biggest learning from her time so far with Share the Dignity, Allison says, “We must lead with compassion. You cannot judge people, and how people got to where they are is irrelevant. It could happen to any of us, so we have to be kind.”
As Allison heads back to help with more packing, I’m introduced to Jess, a volunteer who has been with Share the Dignity since 2023. Currently, Jess is the second-in-charge Engagement Lead. In this role, Jess welcomes and connects new volunteers into the volunteering community, and ensures they have access to any information they need to perform their role. Within the walls of Share the Dignity, female volunteers are referred to fondly as ‘sheroes’, while male volunteers (who are often, but not always, the partner of a shero) are known as ‘heroes’.
When I ask Jess what she would share with anyone who is thinking of getting involved with the organisation, she tells me, “Just reach out, connect and never underestimate the difference that you can make. Everything counts, and though you might think you are just one person, you have the power to change a lot.” Such a sentiment was similarly echoed by Allison when she spoke of Share the Dignity’s founder Rochelle Courtenay. “None of this would have been possible without the passion Rochelle has for the cause. She is an absolute powerhouse, and she continues to make an incredible impact.”
Volunteers at Share the Dignity often help at key events such as the organisation’s Dignity Drives in March and August with volunteers responsible for collecting and transporting donated goods. Volunteers are also involved with the organisation’s Dignity Vending Machines (DVMs), a world-first innovation that dispenses free period packs at the push of a button. Since their inception, DVMs have been placed in various locations across the country, including (but not limited to) homeless hubs, domestic violence refuges, Aboriginal Health Services, and low socioeconomic schools. Volunteers help with stock and maintenance reports to ensure the DVMs remain stocked for those in need.
In the lead up to Christmas, volunteers play a pivotal role during Share the Dignity’s ‘It’s in the Bag’ campaign. A national campaign aimed at collecting and distributing items to women and children in domestic violence refuges, ‘It’s in the Bag’ has seen the likes of 914,000 bags delivered to women in need over the Christmas period. If you needed a reason to head to the shops, take this campaign as a sign! We could all be sheroes or heroes in no time
Share the Dignity is always looking for more volunteers to help further its mission. Head to their website or Instagram to find out more about their campaigns and how you can get involved. eering with dogs, community volunteering, and corporate volunteering are just a few of the rewarding opportunities available. Head to their website to find out more about how you can get involved.
About Meg
Meg Baresic is currently studying a Bachelor of Laws and Journalism at QUT. When she’s not drinking coffee or catching up with friends, Meg loves chatting to and learning from inspiring and interesting people.
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