THE INVENTOR OF THE MENSTRUAL PAD

illustration by shreyas r. krishna for forgotten women: the scientists

American history is peopled with individuals whose contributions to their communities and society at large went underrecognized due to their marginalized identities. Due to her race, Mary Beatrice Davidson Kenner was one of these people. Though she created the sanitary belt in the 1920s, the revolutionary product did not go into use for 30 more years due to the marketing company’s disinterest when they learned the inventor was black. While the sanitary belt was her most notable invention, Mary Davidson Kenner applied for and received five other patents while working as a florist.

Mary was born in 1912 in Monroe, North Carolina into a family of inventors. Her grandfather invented a tricolor light signal for trains. Her father, a preacher who Mary credited with igniting her initial interest in discovering things, invented a compact clothing press. Mary’s sister Mildred was also an inventor and would later on make money by designing and selling board games.

Mary came up with her first invention at just six years old. When she couldn’t sleep late in the mornings because of the door’s loud squeaking when her mom would leave for work, Mary asked, “Don’t you think someone could invent a self-oiling doorhinge?” And she set to work trying to make one herself. While she didn’t succeed in its fabrication, she continued designing, drawing up plans for convertible roofs to over the folding rumble seats in cars, a portable ashtray attached to cigarette packets, and a sponge tip to soak up water from wet umbrellas.

Kenner Family

The family moved to Washington, D.C. in 1924 where Mary attended Dunbar High School. She began to make periodic visits while still in high school to the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office to see whether any of the ideas she had in mind had already been patented. A talented student, she earned admission to Howard University but had to drop out her in the middle of her second year due to financial difficulties.

After leaving university she worked various jobs, spending time as a babysitter and elevator operator before finding employment as a federal employee. She met a solider while chaperoning a dance at a military base, and they married in 1945 but divorced five years later. A year after the divorce, she met James “Jabbo” Kenner, her marriage to whom would last more than 30 years, until James’ death in 1983.

Mary never stopped tinkering, even when after starting up her own floral business. She saw inventing as finding solutions to everyday problems and menstruation still created major problems for women at the time. Tampons were available for use but were considered “indecent” so women felt discomfort using them. Cloths and rags were the more popular option, but were not reliable and often left women anxious about bleeding on their clothes in public, which in turn led to a general sense that women shouldn’t leave their homes during their periods.

The Underpinnings Museum. Photo by Tigz Rice

In response Mary designed the sanitary belt in the 1920s, an adjustable invention with a moisture-proof napkin pocket to help prevent leaks. A company got in contact with Mary Kenner to express an interest in marketing her product and a company rep drove to meet with her in D.C. Upon discovering that she was black, the representative lost interest and informed her that the company was no longer interested.

Kenner was undeterred. In 1956, she was able to put her own money towards filing a patent for the sanitary belt, and her invention eventually went into production. Kenner continued to file for and receive patents into the 80s, including one for a toilet tissue holder that she shared with her sister Mildred. Mary Beatrice Davidson Kenner is commonly thought to be the African-American women with the most patents on file.

United States Patent and Trademark Office

United States Patent and Trademark Office

Mary’s significant contribution towards women’s ability to enter public space did not make her rich, but she shared that money wasn’t why she created her designs; she did it to make everyday life easier. Mary Kenner enjoyed life with her family up until her passing in 2006. She played the piano, frequently accompanying her sister who liked to sing and she made frequent visits to New York to see Broadway shows. After selling the flower shop and moving from Washington D.C. to Virginia, Mary and her husband became foster parents and took care of five boys, eventually adopting a boy named Woodrow. Resolutely positive, Mary Beatrice Davidson Kenner ardently believed that, “Every person is born with a creative mind. Everyone has that ability”