Rochelle Courtenay

Founder – Share the Dignity

In 2015, Rochelle Courtenay collected 500 sanitary items and donated them to a local charity. What happened next is a testament to Rochelle’s drive, compassion and desire to help others. She created Share the Dignity, a charity that has since distributed in excess of 1,000,000 sanitary items and established nearly 3,500 collection points around Australia. Her “It’s in the Bag” Christmas appeal campaign has collected and distributed more than 250,000 handbags filled with some of life’s essentials, including soap and shampoo, toothpaste and tampons. She’s also developed a Dignity Vending Machine, which is currently being rolled out throughout Australia.

Rochelle was heralded as the 2016 Cosmopolitan magazine “Humanitarian of the Year”, and as a 2017 Finalist – “Australian of the Year Queensland”, 2017 Finalist – Telstra “Business Woman of the Year”. She is also the winner of the 2017 Ausmumpreneur “Making a difference” award, and an inspiration to all women.

We were delighted to catch up with Rochelle to ask her a few questions….. she is one powerhouse of a lady! 

What motivated you to start your charity?

Shocked to learn that vulnerable women suffered unthinkable indignities during their monthly period, I decided to do something about it.

What was your biggest learning curve, and how did it make you a better person?

My biggest learning curve with Share the Dignity was learning to trust my gut and making mistakes and learning from them. We won’t even go into that list of mistakes, I respect your time!

What business aspirations do you have for the future?

It has been my mission to abolish the tampon tax and for women’s sanitary items to not be classed as a “luxury”. Our politicians and our society have to engage in a dialogue about women and our needs. The abolition of this tax will make a huge difference in the lives of women and girls across the nation.  #axethetaxperiod. By funding more Dignity Vending machines and making them available to girls and women in need, we give them dignity, we will see a further decrease in work and school absenteeism, we will provide a basic, fundamental human right and give women their freedom back. Sanitary items should be a right not a privilege.

What decision changed your life?

Reading the very first article written by Mamamia changed my life, after endless hours after trying to work out how to share the dignity, there was a fork in the road where I could’ve gone this is too hard, but I forged ahead and now one million packets of pads and tampons have been donated, more than 3500 volunteers all believe in the same thing I do.

What is your greatest career achievement?

The dignity vending machines is by far the greatest achievement I have ever been able to accomplish.

What personal achievement are you most proud of?

Having and raising my two beautiful daughters would hands down be the thing I am most proud of.

What book impacted you the most?

The book that has impacted me most was the “One Minute Manager”.

What’s one thing you do every day for yourself?

The one thing I do for myself is go for a walk.

What’s next on your personal bucket list?

Next on my personal bucket list is to finish renovating our house.

To find out more about the amazing work that Rochelle’s charity is doing or to donate, check out:

www.sharethedignity.com.au/

Facebook / Instagram:

@sharethedignityaustralia