Every week, the Timmins Kinette Club is celebrating women in the community with its Modern-Day Rosie initiative. The campaign honours women who are innovators, volunteers, entrepreneurs and visionaries empowering other women. TimminsToday has partnered with the club to introduce our readers to the inspiring local leaders. To submit a nomination, email [email protected].
Renelle Robinson is a Vanguard!
Our newest ‘Modern-Day Rosie’ is the force behind PAD Patrol in Timmins bringing awareness to and advocacy for Period Poverty: prioritizing food over tampons, housing over pads and the dozens of other decisions made to survive in the face of this invisible form of poverty. To quote the PAD Patrol organization, “Why should lower-income earners have to go without essentials just for being born a woman?” (PAD = Protection and Dignity)
These are words our Rosie lives by. She has been described as someone who does not complain about the injustices in our world, but rather takes action to address the injustices, as evidenced by her creation of the Timmins PAD Patrol. “It’s a grassroots cause that I started a few years back, that allows anyone who can’t afford feminine hygiene products access to them — no questions asked. This consists of fundraising, shopping, handing out products, balancing books and advocating.”
Renelle sees these inequities first hand as a veteran public servant with CDSSAB for over 20 years. Like so many of her mentors, she radiates confidence and goodness and challenges each of us to “…just be a good human.”
Renelle has been inspired by many female leaders and role models. “I see it every day in all sorts of situations. Simple actions like speaking confidently and owning your words and showing respect for others are just a few. Women who have humility and admit mistakes but get back out there to conquer the world are plentiful, and make earth a better place. I am blessed to be among many.”
We are blessed by your leadership Renelle! If you would like to help Timmins PAD Patrol, Donate. Start menstrual drives. Contact organizations and domestic violence shelters to find out what items are needed. Call your MPP, or civic representatives and ask them to take action. Together we can end #PeriodPoverty and ensure that no woman ever has to live without feminine hygiene products again.
