Melissa Berton (educator)
Melissa Berton | |
|---|---|
| Occupation(s) | Educator, producer, social activist, speaker |
| Website | melissaberton |
Melissa Berton is an American educator, producer, and social activist. She is the founder and executive director of The Pad Project, a nonprofit organization focused on menstrual equity. Berton gained recognition as the producer of Period. End of Sentence., a documentary that won the Academy Award for Best Documentary Short Film in 2019.[1]
Career
[edit]Berton has worked as a high school teacher in Los Angeles, where she has been involved in social justice initiatives with her students.[2] In 2013, she and her students at Oakwood School co-founded The Pad Project, a nonprofit organization dedicated to addressing period poverty and menstrual stigma.[3][4]
As part of this initiative, Berton served as a producer for the 2018 documentary Period. End of Sentence., which explores menstrual health challenges in rural India. The film won the Academy Award for Best Documentary Short Film in 2019.[5][6][7]
The Pad Project
[edit]The Pad Project was founded in 2013 to support menstrual health education and increase access to affordable menstrual products. The organization collaborates with local initiatives to provide resources in underserved communities globally.[8][9][10]
Berton's advocacy work has been recognized with several awards, including the Forbes 50 Over 50 for her contributions to menstrual equity, the Eleanor Roosevelt Global Women’s Rights Award from the Feminist Majority Foundation, and the Apne Aap Last Girl Award to End Human Trafficking (2023) for her efforts in addressing period poverty.[11][12][13]
Writing and Film Work
[edit]Berton has contributed articles on menstrual health and social activism to various publications. In 2021, she wrote an opinion piece for Variety reflecting on the impact of Period. End of Sentence. and its role in raising awareness of menstrual equity. She has also worked on a screenplay adaptation involving the poet, Dylan Thomas.[14][15]
References
[edit]- ^ Goodyear, Dana (2019-02-11). "The Oscar-Nominated Doc About a Pad Machine". The New Yorker. ISSN 0028-792X. Retrieved 2025-03-07.
- ^ Smith, Rosa Inocencio (2019-02-25). "The 8 Most Striking Moments From the 2019 Oscars". The Atlantic. Retrieved 2025-03-07.
- ^ "Oscars 2019: 'Period. End Of Sentence.', created in part by SoCal students, teacher, wins best short documentary". ABC7 Los Angeles. Retrieved 2025-03-07.
- ^ "Behind Oscar-winning 'Period. End of Sentence' is an English teacher from LA". The Indian Express. 2019-03-03. Retrieved 2025-03-07.
- ^ America, Good Morning. "A documentary about menstruation won an Oscar. Here's what the director of 'Period. End of Sentence.' wants to happen next". Good Morning America. Retrieved 2025-03-07.
- ^ "Oscar Nominated Documentary Period. End of Sentence. Wants to End the Stigma Around Menstruation". People.com. Retrieved 2025-03-07.
- ^ Smith, Rosa Inocencio (2019-02-25). "The 8 Most Striking Moments From the 2019 Oscars". The Atlantic. Retrieved 2025-03-07.
- ^ Goodyear, Dana (2019-02-11). "The Oscar-Nominated Doc About a Pad Machine". The New Yorker. ISSN 0028-792X. Retrieved 2025-03-07.
- ^ Gomez-Sotomayor-Roel, Aleka. "CCSC approves referendum on menstrual products and contraceptives in residence halls". Columbia Daily Spectator. Retrieved 2025-03-07.
- ^ "Breaking The Taboo: Ensuring Access To Menstrual Hygiene Products". The Friday Times. 2025-01-19. Retrieved 2025-03-07.
- ^ "Bruin to Bruin: Melissa Berton". Daily Bruin. Retrieved 2025-03-07.
- ^ "Receiving the Last Girl Award, lobbying on Capitol Hill, & more". voicesandfaces.org. Retrieved 2025-03-07.
- ^ "Meet Melissa Berton". canvasrebel.com. Retrieved 2025-03-07.
- ^ amdally (2016-06-15). "Jack Black on stage as Dylan Thomas". Dylan Thomas News. Retrieved 2025-03-07.
- ^ Berton, Melissa (2021-05-17). "After 'Period. End of Sentence.' Won an Oscar, Period Poverty Is Still a Problem in the U.S. (Guest Column)". Variety. Retrieved 2025-03-07.