Cora

The origin story of Cora comes from a conversation between the company’s founder Molly Hayward and a young girl in Kenya while working for a women’s education non-profit. She learned from her that she and the other girls in the village skipped school during her period because she didn’t have access to period products. Unfortunately, this anecdote is an all too common fact throughout much of the world, the direct result not only of socio-economic inequities but cultural discrimination as well. When you stop to recognize that periods are a monthly occurrence and can last up to a week — girls are missing out on 25% of their education.

The Founder

Molly Hayward grew up in Philidelphia in a family that promoted diversity and social awareness. This upbringing led Molly to work in socially impactful non-profits, often geared toward the needs of women and girls. However, through a conversation with a young girl in Kenya, Molly began to understand the enormous impact of periods on the health and future of young women. Thus, Cora was born. 

The Vision

Cora takes a holistic approach to the issue of periods. Working from the ground up, the company produces safe period products made available to women and girls in need worldwide. This is paired with education and community outreach that works to break through social taboos surrounding periods. The unique business model enables the sale of the products to support the social justice side of the organization. As a result, Cora has positively changed communities in Kenya, India, and the United States by providing period care products and health education. 

What makes Cora such an innovative and almost mythical success is their ability to tick so many boxes.

• Environmentally friendly products
• Socially responsible manufacturing
• Donations to groups in need
• Education and support to ensure positive change
• B-corp Certified

Production

Cora has partnered with companies such as Aakar Innovations in India to produce environmentally safe and healthy period products. (Aakar Innovations is another fantastic company I will explore more later). Keeping the production local to the communities in need cuts down on the cost and environmental impact. Further, these companies also provide much-needed jobs to local women. 

Company Impact Model

Cora initially employed a subscription-based model to support the social justice side of the business. However, the language has changed since I first encountered the site, and it now accounts for all purchases. So, for every month’s worth of products purchased, an equal amount, plus educational resources, is donated to a community in need. Cora can also be purchased in a few brick-and-mortar stores like Target. 

Innovation

The area of period care has changed very little since … well, honestly, since forever. Cora is among the companies working to change this. In addition to improving traditional products such as tampons and pads, they have introduced products such as discs and reusable items such as period panties and cups.