Eesha Ande
2025 Eco-Hero
3rd PLACE
Eesha Ande
Age 16
San Antonio, Texas, USA
Empowering Menstruators: Sustainable Hygiene to Combat Period Poverty & Plastic Waste
Eesha Ande is tackling two interconnected global challenges – period poverty and environmental waste – through her impactful sustainable menstrual hygiene initiative. Eesha was galvanized to act after a friend missed school due to a lack of menstrual products, a stark realization of the hidden struggle faced by many. Further research revealed the shocking scale of period poverty (1 in 4 U.S. students missing school) and the disastrous environmental footprint of disposable menstrual products (over 200,000 tons of waste annually, taking centuries to decompose). This dual awareness ignited her mission to create a more equitable and environmentally responsible solution.
Eesha's project gained national recognition when she won the 1st Place National Sustainable Development Goals Service Project Pitch from the United Nations Association of the USA (UNA-USA), leading to a presentation at their Global Leadership Summit in Washington, D.C. With grant funding secured from UNA-USA and the San Antonio Mayor's Fitness Council (totaling over $2,000), she began implementing her vision. She has installed shelves in her high school's girls' bathrooms, stocked with free disposable products and, crucially, sustainable options like washable cloth pads and reusable menstrual cups, along with educational resources in English and Spanish.
Beyond her school, Eesha is combating period poverty directly in her community by distributing over 100 portable kits containing a set of 7 environmentally-sustainable cloth pads, a wet bag, and medically-reviewed care instructions to low-income menstruators in San Antonio. This initiative promotes environmental justice by providing affordable, healthier alternatives, reducing waste, and ensuring equitable access to essential hygiene, thereby removing barriers to education and health.
Eesha's project is a testament to her exceptional leadership and determination. Her mentor, Andrea Bottiglieri of the San Antonio Mayor's Fitness Council, attests that the project was "100% initiated by Eesha" and hails her as "confident, knowledgeable, driven, conscientious, determined, and savvy." Eesha candidly shares her learning: "I learned that courage, fueled by passion and determination, can propel you beyond your perceived limits." She has successfully networked with numerous organizations, including the Medical Reserve Corps, UT Teen Health, and Family Violence Prevention Services, Inc. (FVPS), and has engaged in legislative advocacy on Capitol Hill.
Beyond her environmental work, Eesha is a well-rounded leader, serving as founder and president of her high school's Junior State of America chapter (winning "Texas Chapter of the Year") and holding a leadership role in the FVPS Youth Advisory Council. She is also a passionate violinist. For the future, Eesha plans to design project guides for other schools, launch a widespread social media campaign, and partner with organizations like the Texas Diaper Bank to expand the reach of sustainable menstrual products. She aims to run her school's women's health club and continue to advocate for a more just and sustainable world, proving herself a true "community service superstar."
