Meet Mikaela Ingram of Divine Drops

Today we’d like to introduce you to Mikaela Ingram.

Mikaela, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
My journey to founding Divine Drops started in my childhood, growing up on a strawberry farm where I first developed my love for nature and understood the interconnectedness of the seasons. This early experience, combined with the stories of my grandmother’s impactful career as a nurse, inspired me to pursue nursing myself. But I didn’t want just any nursing career; I aimed to be a travel nurse.

By the age of 19, I was traveling across the United States, working in over 25 hospitals and participating in medical mission trips on four continents. This exposure to various healthcare environments and challenges broadened my perspective, but it was a specific encounter in 2019 that redirected my path. On my first overseas trip, I was confronted with the harsh realities of period poverty and the significant lack of health education regarding menstruation. Despite having faced my own struggles with hormonal balance and menstruation, the scale of this issue and its impact on girls’ education and well-being was startling.

Realizing the urgent need for support and resources in this area, I was motivated to take action. This was the moment Divine Drops was conceived. Over the next 2.5 years, our organization has grown into an international force, launching five successful programs and positively affecting over 13,000 girls and women’s lives.

In retrospect, the combination of my nursing background, farming upbringing, and travel experiences uniquely positioned me to address this global challenge. Divine Drops is more than an organization; it’s a culmination of my life’s experiences, driven by a mission to support menstrual health and education globally.

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?
Of course, let’s adjust the tone to focus more on resilience and strategic choices rather than sacrifice:

The journey to building Divine Drops has been challenging, yet it’s been a journey of growth and strategic adaptation rather than sacrifice. From the start, not everyone was on board with the idea, which was disappointing but not discouraging. To support the project, I decided to live in a camper in the woods, a practical choice that allowed me to minimize living costs and invest more into Divine Drops. This setup, with a trailer full of our products nearby, also enabled me to balance my time between my nursing career and focusing on the project’s growth.

Continuing as a travel nurse while spearheading Divine Drops meant navigating two very different worlds. It was a steep learning curve, moving from a well-established career to starting something new and unfamiliar. This transition wasn’t just about facing new challenges; it was about embracing the opportunity to learn and apply my skills in innovative ways.

The bigger challenge, however, lay in shifting societal perceptions around menstrual health—a subject often avoided in public discourse. Engaging people in meaningful conversations about period poverty and the critical need for menstrual health education has been an ongoing endeavor. Additionally, presenting this issue in a way that resonates with a diverse audience, including men who often play a significant role in funding decisions, required creativity and persistence.

Through these experiences, I’ve gained invaluable skills and insights. The journey has taught me the importance of resilience, strategic thinking, and the power of communication in driving social change. Each obstacle encountered has been a lesson in how to more effectively advocate for and implement solutions to women’s health issues globally.

Thanks – so, what else should our readers know about Divine drops?
Divine Drops stands out as a beacon of innovation and compassion in the fight against period poverty. Founded by medical professionals, our nonprofit organization is deeply committed to ending the cycle of period poverty through a unique blend of comprehensive reproductive health education and the provision of reusable menstrual products. Our mission extends beyond temporary relief, aiming for a sustainable solution that addresses the root of the issue.

What sets us apart is our commitment to providing long-term solutions. Our approach is not just about handing out products; it’s about empowering individuals with knowledge and resources. The use of reusable products is a cornerstone of our strategy, significantly reducing ongoing costs and environmental impact.

Our programs are designed to be as inclusive and accessible as possible. We’ve developed a variety of initiatives to ensure that we’re not only reaching but truly serving the needs of girls and women wherever they are. This includes:

Partnering with OB/GYN offices to integrate reproductive health education directly into healthcare settings.
Supplying educational kits to other nonprofits and middle schools, ensuring young girls have the resources they need to stay in school.
Expanding our impact internationally by providing employment opportunities for women and offering training in reproductive health education.
Our work is guided by the principle of meeting communities where they are, delivering solutions that are both sustainable and impactful. We strive to create programs that are not only effective in the short term but also empower individuals and communities for years to come.

We want our readers to know that Divine Drops has something to offer everyone who menstruates. Whether you’re looking to become an advocate, educate yourself about your own menstrual cycle, start tracking your cycle, make a donation, or partner with us through your business or nonprofit organization, we welcome your involvement. For more information on how you can support our mission or benefit from our services, please visit our website.

Together, we are not just addressing period poverty; we are working to eradicate it, one community at a time. Join us in making a difference.

If we knew you growing up, how would we have described you?
Growing up, I was what you might call a spirited farm girl with an unquenchable thirst for adventure and a deep-rooted love for creativity. My childhood was painted with the vivid colors of the great outdoors, where I spent countless hours playing soccer, engaging with animals, and basking in the freedom that only a vast farm can offer. The farmers market was a regular feature in my life, where I proudly helped sell strawberries from my family’s farm, learning the value of hard work and the joy of connecting with people over the simple pleasures of life.

Even as a child, my dreams knew no boundaries. I was always drawn to the idea of traveling the world, fueled by a desire to help people in ways I hadn’t even fully understood yet. This innate wanderlust was paired with a deep-seated conviction that I was meant to make a meaningful impact, to reach out to those in need, even if I hadn’t met them yet.

Leadership and organization seemed to come naturally to me, evidenced by my initiative to start the American Girl Club. It was more than just a club; it was a reflection of my early understanding of the importance of community, structure, and shared interests. Looking back, I can’t help but smile at how this early experience was a precursor to what I would eventually create with Divine Drops. It’s funny to think that what started as a childhood club could foreshadow my future in building an organization focused on service and community.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.divinedrops.org
• Instagram: divinedrops_
• Facebook: https://m.facebook.com/divinedropss
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/divine-drops
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC07dAwASrh9Y1cj25NJpgHw?app=desktop