Army National Guard Women Donate Menstrual and Hygiene Supplies at WIT 5K for Girls in Need
- Adeyela Bennett
- Apr 7
- 6 min read
Updated: 5 days ago
Photo by Nystasha Kelly of Complexion Photography
Giving loves company!
So says Master Sergeant Taaka Wilson of the Alabama Army National Guard.
MSG Wilson entered the military at age 17 as a senior at Enterprise High School in Enteprise, Alabama.
"9-11 had just happened, and I couldn't think of a better way to keep my younger siblings safe than to serve in the military," MSG Wilson reminisced. "I was underage, so I begged and pleaded my parents for their consent. They were afraid for me, so I asked my uncle and grandfather to speak with my parents on my behalf."
After several months of pleading, MSG Wilson said her parents finally agreed with her decision to serve in the military. She chose to serve in the Alabama Army National Guard to stay close to her family in Alabama.
"Joining the National Guard started my life of service," the full-time Master Sergeant explained. "I understood that serving in the military was not about me, but about serving others and serving my commuity."
MSG Wilson said she always encourages others to join her in serving.
"A mentor of mine says: 'Give others the opportunity to be great!' With that in mind, I always have someone with me when I do something for others,"MSG Wilson said. "When I come to the annual Women in Training, Inc. 5K, I invite as many people as I can to share in the joy. If you don't tell people about charitable events, they won't know there's a need. When people know, they are happy to help."
At the 5th Annual WIT 5K held on March 2, 2025, at Montgomery Whitewater, MSG Wilson came with several of her colleagues and dozens of pretty bags filled with Always sanitary pads, toothbrushes, toothpaste, conditioner and shampoo, and other menstrual dental and hygiene supplies.
"I've been supporting WIT for the last three years,"MSG Wilson said. "My niece, Justice Britt, came down from Enterprise, Alabama, to run with me in the 2023 race. In fact, Justice won second place in the pre-teen age category during the 5K. Naturally, my niece and I brought packages of menstrual supplies with us to donate to Women in Training, Inc. Honestly, I think everyone should bring menstrual supplies when they attend WIT events to support your mission to help end period poverty!"
For the 5th Annual WIT 5K, MSG Wilson called on family members and colleagues to collectively make bags of menstrual, dental and hygiene supplies.
"I believe in serving the community,"MSG Wilson said. "My parents got me started with volunteering as a teenager in high school. My first volunteer assignment was at the nursing home where my grandmother worked in Enterprise. Even for my bachelorette party, my friends and I packed bags and served the homeless."
Fortunately for MSG Wilson, her husband, First Sergeant Johnathan Wilson of the Alabama Army National Guard, is also an active public servant. They both hold office with the Enlisted National Guard Association of Alabama. First Sergeant Wilson serves as Vice President and MSG serves as Secretary.
First Sergeant Wilson also serves as Membership Chair for the Enlisted National Guard Association of the United States.
"We are very active with the association, and lobby with them in Washington, DC, every year," MSG said.
MSG Wilson and her husband vounteer wherever they see a need.
"Frequently, my husband and I make a healthy meal, like spaghetti or even something as simple as peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, with fresh fruits and a bottle of water to serve unhoused individuals in Birmingham," MSG Wilson smiled brightly. "Serving makes us happy!"
MSG Wilson shared that one of her favorite recent volunteer experiences with her husband was serving at the City of Montgomery warming shelter during the cold spell in January 2025.
"We practically lived at the warming shelter," MSG Wilson. "We assisted the unhoused people, as well as families who simply did not have heat in their homes. My husband is a natural leader, and he called the National Guard to request donations of cots. Together, we made sandwiches, played with the children and just held their hands to keep their company. It was worth every minute of our time!"
The compassionate military couple always volunteers with Wreaths Across America.
"We lay wreaths on the tombstones of veterans every year," MSG tearfully said "There is a ceremony ahead of time. Then, we read the words on the tombstone, lay the wreath, then read the tombstone again. This is a heartwarming service that we love to provide for fallen veterans."
When MSG Wilson decided to pack gift bags of menstrual, dental and hygiene supplies to donate at the 5th Annual WIT 5k, she first enlisted the help of her mother, Trena Council. MSG Wilson said her mother avidly collects coupons.
"I asked my mom to look out for coupons for the supplies we wanted to pack in the bags," MSG Wilson said. "It took us two to three days to go couponing to purchase enough items to make 50 gift bags. Then, we had a bag-stuffing party. I ordered pizza and we sat around and packed and smiled at the thought of helping others!"
The following volunteers packed the gift bags:
Ms. Trena Council
Ms. Jamie Jones
Sgt. Sondra Smith
Master Sergeant Taaka Wilson
When the 5th Annual WIT 5K at Montgomery Whitewater came around, the following colleagues from the Alabama Army National Guard joyfully accompanied MSG Wilson:
Chief Warrant Officer 3 retired Tremell Fullenwilder
Sergeant Chasity Alfred
Sergeant First Class Demetruia Parker
Mr. Bradley Bennett, Vice President, Women in Training, Inc. was ecstastic to accept the gift bags from the Alabama Army National Guard members.
"Master Sergeant Wilson and her niece donated menstrual supplies at a previous WIT 5K," Mr. Bennett said. "We were happy to receive the gift bags of quality menstrual, dental and hygiene supplies to distribute to families in our community."
After making the generous donations, MSG Wilson and her colleagues then actively participated in the 5K, even bringing home winning medals!
To organize a donation drive of WITKITS supplies of menstrual, dental and hygiene products, please contact Women in Training, Inc. at bennett@womenintraining.org.
One in four American girls and young women skip school or miss work because they cannot afford sanitary pads or tampons to stay healthy and clean during their period. To alleviate
period poverty, Brooke and Breanna Bennett started Women in Training, Inc. (WIT) on their 12th birthday in July 2019. WIT volunteers provide donations of WITKITS —
canvas bags full of feminine hygiene products — to underserved young women. WIT also provides educational information programs about menstruation for girls and publishes the brochure, “The WIT Guide to the Menstrual Cycle.”
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