Today we’d like to introduce you to Leanne Listman.
Hi Leanne, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
My story began on the edge of Baltimore City, where I grew up surrounded by domestic violence, homelessness, and the everyday reality of economic hardship. I watched women stay with partners who hurt them because they literally could not afford to leave. I watched mothers give up their own basic needs—sometimes even period products—just to feed their families. That’s when I first learned what poverty looked like up close, both regular poverty and period poverty, and I saw how rarely anyone in power addressed it.
Years later, as conversations around menstrual equity continued to stall—even while we were pushing initiatives like the Period Equity For All Act of 2025–26—I realized communities like mine had been left to fend for themselves. So I made a choice: if Congress wasn’t going to meet women’s needs, I would start with the women in my own neighborhood. What began as me handing out free period products in one town quickly grew into The Period Pantry. Today, we support Domestic Violence Shelters, Homeless Shelters, Libraries, and community spaces—anywhere women need access to something as essential and dignifying as period care. Our network keeps expanding, and we’re always looking for new partners. Whether someone is in need or wants to host a pantry, they can reach me anytime at www.theperiodpantry.org.
While building The Period Pantry, I also stepped into another role—rebuilding the Anne Arundel County Chapter of the National Organization for Women. It’s a crucial chapter because of its proximity to our State Capital, and we’re bringing in new members who are energized, vocal, and deeply committed to NOW’s Six Pillars. Together, we’re supporting domestic violence survivors, advancing racial justice, protecting reproductive rights, finding our pathways into Maryland legislation, and mentoring the next generation of feminists who will continue this work long after us.
Two years ago, when I went through a sudden divorce, it left a deep emptiness inside me. That space could have swallowed me whole, but instead, I filled it with service—pouring my heart into nonprofits, women’s organizations, and every corner of the menstrual equity movement. Helping women reclaim dignity, safety, and autonomy has transformed me just as much as it transforms the communities we serve. I’m proud of where we started, and even more excited about where we’re going.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Working for menstrual equity has brought moments that pushed me forward and moments that forced me to step back. There were days when the need in the community felt overwhelming compared to the resources I had available. Those setbacks challenged my confidence, but they also pushed me to create new systems and stronger partnerships.
Confronting stigma around periods was another major obstacle, because many people still believe menstrual care is “not a real issue.” Hearing those dismissive attitudes felt like running into a wall every time I spoke about dignity and access. Yet each time I faced that resistance, I refined my message and became an even stronger advocate.
At the same time, rebuilding the Anne Arundel County Chapter of NOW came with its own unique hurdles. Recruiting new members after years of inactivity required rebuilding trust and proving that our chapter was ready to lead again. Those setbacks forced us to get creative, and ultimately helped us strengthen our foundation and clarify our mission.
We also encountered resistance from spaces where feminist advocacy wasn’t always welcomed or understood.
Trying to revive a chapter near the State Capital meant navigating political barriers and institutional hesitation. But those challenges pushed us to become more strategic, more united, and more determined to carry NOW’s Six Pillars into Maryland legislation.
Through all of this—menstrual equity work, rebuilding NOW, and managing both alongside personal hardships—I learned that setbacks don’t erase the mission. Each obstacle created a new skill, a new connection, or a new level of resilience I didn’t know I had. And every push‑forward has reminded me that this work is changing lives, building community, and shaping a future where equity isn’t optional—it’s expected.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
In my professional life, I work in investment banking, specializing in client‑focused financial guidance and long‑term planning. After earning my Financial Paraplanner Qualified Professional® (FPQP®) certification, I realized I’m truly a lifelong learner—someone who thrives on mastering new information and turning it into meaningful action. I’m currently studying for my securities trader license in the moments I can carve out, with the goal of becoming a full Financial Advisor in the near future.
I’ve spent 12 years in the financial industry, starting as a bank teller and steadily working my way through support roles until I was assisting the Head of Business Banking at one of the top 10 banks in the United States. That experience gave me a deep understanding of how financial systems work at every level, but it also made me realize what I missed most: my clients. There is nothing like answering the phone, hearing someone’s question, and giving them the kind of knowledgeable, trustworthy service that comes from true expertise—not guesswork.
What sets me apart is that I bring this same financial passion and skill into my activism. My background in banking, planning, and business development has been invaluable to The Period Pantry, where strategic growth is essential for expanding pantries, managing donations, and partnering with shelters, libraries, and organizations. It’s also been essential to rebuilding AACO NOW, where understanding how to allocate resources, budget programming, and strengthen chapter infrastructure ensures that our activism isn’t just loud—it’s sustainable.
I’m most proud of the way my financial career and my advocacy work now support one another. As I work toward my trader license—and eventually a full advisory position—I’m gaining tools that directly elevate the organizations I lead, whether that’s navigating nonprofit finances or planning for long-term chapter development. The two “giant tests” ahead of me feel less like obstacles and more like stepping stones toward the leadership roles I’ve been preparing for over a decade.
What truly sets me apart is the combination of technical financial expertise and a deep commitment to community advocacy. I understand not only how money moves, but how resources should move—to people, to shelters, to underfunded neighborhoods, and to women who deserve dignity. Whether I’m sitting across from a banking client or standing in front of a group of activists, my mission is the same: to empower people with knowledge, compassion, and the confidence that change is absolutely possible.
Before we go, is there anything else you can share with us?
I’d like to say:
NOW AACO is currently in an exciting period of growth, and we are actively recruiting new members who want to make a real impact in Maryland. Anyone interested in volunteering, joining our legislative initiatives, or simply learning more about feminist activism can visit www.nowaaco.org to get involved. We welcome every skill set, every background, and every level of experience—because movements thrive when everyone has a seat at the table.
The Period Pantry is also looking for volunteers who can help us meet the rising need across the state. We are especially recruiting movers, drivers, and general volunteers to help deliver period products to shelters, libraries, pantries, and neighborhoods where menstrual equity is most urgently needed. Anyone who wants to partner with us, host a pantry, or volunteer hands‑on can connect through our website, www.theperiodpantry.org, and become part of a network that restores dignity to thousands of Marylanders.
I want to leave your readers with this: whatever you are going through, there is a nonprofit in Maryland fighting for you. Somewhere nearby, a team of people is working every day to support survivors, address poverty, health, education, advocate for reproductive rights, or stand up for those whose voices often go unheard. Activism isn’t a distant concept—it’s your neighbors, your coworkers, your friends, and sometimes even the person reading this article.
Beyond my advocacy in Maryland, I also run an international Skool community for men and women of all ages who are living with bipolar disorder. In the absence of an active United States chapter of the International Bipolar Society, we are building a supportive space of our own—one that connects people worldwide, provides resources, and reminds every member that they are not navigating this alone. This work is deeply personal, and it reinforces my belief that strong communities are built when people refuse to wait for someone else to create the support they deserve.
Whether it’s advocating for menstrual equity, strengthening NOW AACO, or building global mental‑health communities, my mission is to inspire others to step into activism with confidence. The spark that changed my life lives within every reader, waiting to be lit. If you feel it—even just for a moment—I encourage you to act on it, because the world needs what only you can give.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.theperiodpantry.org
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theperiodpantrymd/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61576001584039
