Mary Beatrice Davidson Kenner 1912 - 2006

Mary Beatrice Davidson Kenner was an American inventor most noted for her development of the adjustable sanitary belt. This revolutionary product was designed to improve the comfort of those menstruating and was the precursor to the sanitary pads we recognise today. Her idea of a sanitary belt would hold pads in place, preventing them from shifting while people were on the move and causing blood leakage. The belt also featured easily adjustable straps for maximum comfort. Today, she holds the record for the most patents awarded to an African-American woman by the US government, which includes a carrier attachment for invalid walker and bathroom tissue dispenser. Yet despite the ingenuity of her designs, as an African-American woman, Kenner repeatedly faced deeply entrenched attitudes towards race and gender, and never made any money from her creations.

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