Which person invented the sanitary belt for women?

Mary Beatrice Davidson Kenner (1912-2006) was an African-American most noted for her development of the sanitary belt. Racial discrimination prevented its adoption for thirty years.

Born in Monroe, North Carolina, U.S., Kenner graduated from high school in 1931 and attended Howard University located in Washington, D.C. She was unable to finish and graduate though due to financial difficulties. She worked as a professional florist and had her own business in the Washington, D.C. area.

Mary invented the sanitary belt with a moisture-proof napkin pocket, but when the company that first showed an interest in her invention learned she was an African American, they rejected it. In 1957, she was finally able to save up enough money to get her patent for the sanitary belt. She also received additional patents for various household and personal items she created.

Her father was Sidney Nathaniel Davidson (1890-1958), an inspiration to his daughter Mary. He was also an inventor and obtained a patent for a clothing press which would fit in suitcases.

Her sister was Mildred Davidson Austin Smith (1916-1993), also an inventor who commercially sold board games. Later in life when Mildred developed multiple sclerosis, Mary developed and patented a carrier attachment for a walker that her sister could use.

Robert Phromeberger was the maternal grandfather of Mary Kenner. He invented many devices including a tricolor light signal for trains.

More Info: en.wikipedia.org

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54 Comments

Susannah Landis

Thank goodness the belt and pads were invented. Women no longer had to wear rags that had to be washed, dried, and worn every month.

Fran Donnelly

what a talented family.

Darlene Yarbrough

Wow!!! This is good, for THIS Month. Black History Month. Ijs.

larrywagner

Good question and answer Beowulf. Amazing family indeed.

Tallia Gluck

This very intelligent lady should have gotten the credit for her invention long before she did!

Ellie Zucchiatti

filmnut, Come back and talk to us about washing rags when you have had to wear them.

Earl Rogers Jr.

There are many Americans of African dissent that have not been given credit for their invention. You will never find out their names or what they invented unless you read articles by American Negro on their contributions to the United States.

Susan Madanat

Susannah Landis, They still do so in a lot of countries around the world, mostly due to poverty, war and lack of biological education. In some African and Asian countries girls and women have to confine themselves away from public eye in a bleeding hut and their period is over. In the UK there was a campaign last year to get free sanitary products dispensed in schools, colleges and universities as it was found that girls were missing classes due to 'period poverty'. There is still a campaign to remove tax from sanitary products.

jaime alzate

HONOR TO HER. A GREAT HUMAN BEING.

Player

Three of the options had Davidson as part of their name. Too bad there were three.

beckyhayob

I think it's awesome that she finally got the recognition she deserved, but it's appalling that her invention was rejected because of her "race". I don't understand the human race ... I do think it's great that her family members are recognized as well for their contributions, however; I'm pretty sure none of them prospered from their inventions in the same way a white person (man) would have. I'm white and the injustice infuriates me.

Gerald Larkins

Had to be the one with the long name.

Armadillo

Those were the days. A woman could still get behind a closed door and change her feminine hygiene products with SOME expectation of privacy. Now she needs a Saint Bernard.