Written answers to the questions

Total 195 words used.

An eco-warrior, pioneer, and disrupter, Susie Hewson developed the world’s first brand of organic and natural period products—Natracare—in 1989 and has been tirelessly striving for plastic-free periods and an end to period poverty for the last 35 years. During her college years in Sweden, she noticed the River Mölndalsån would turn different colors due to pollution from a nearby factory processing pulp to create feminine hygiene products. Later, having campaigned for Friends of the Earth and Greenpeace, she saw a television program about the environmental damage caused by dioxin residues created in the chlorine bleaching process used in paper pulp manufacturing. Outraged, she immediately began researching the materials and technology required to produce a safer effective range of period products to rival those dominating the global market. Today, the award-winning and GOTS-certified line of Natracare products is sold in 82 countries, and Natracare is the first period care brand to join 1% for the Planet. And Susie—a game-changing environmentalist, Earth Protector Trustee, four-time Veuve Clicquot Women in Business Award Finalist, and recipient of numerous other awards—continues her local, national, and international campaign to improve women’s health and protect the world’s environment through sustainable grassroots development.

Total 250 words used.

Personal Achievements

• Honored as a Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) by King Charles III for her outstanding service to women’s health and the environment, positively impacting her industry. (June 2023)

• Spoke at the Organic Trade Board (OTB) & Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS) Roundtable Event during Organic Textile Week. (May 2024)

• Recognized by Green Matters for embodying the spirit of Earth Day all year round. (April 2024)

• Featured in Forbes for her work in creating organic, plastic-free, chlorine-free, biodegradable, compostable menstrual products. (July 2023)

• Named in Medium as an industry leader who has successfully incorporated sustainability and social responsibility into her business model. (May 2023)

• Named in “15 Inspiring Women to Follow in the Sustainability Space” by Brightly.com. (March 2023)

• Featured in Enspire Magazine for her work in plastic-free menstrual products. (February 2023)

Recent Achievements with Natracare

• Applauded a recent tampon study and announced own publicly available independent testing results. (July 2024)

• Launched new international “Green your life. PERIOD.” campaign on World Environment Day, emphasizing the personal, environmental, and financial benefits of a green lifestyle. (June 2024)

• Partnered with WECF International to provide period care products to women living in active conflict zones. (Fall 2023)

• Launched Project #BeKind, a global initiative encouraging people to pledge to only purchase and use organic, sustainable products for 30 days, making healthier choices for their bodies and the planet. (Summer 2023)

• COSMOS Organic Certified Cleansing Makeup Remover Wipes received certification from the Environmental Working Group (EWG). (January 2024)

Total 166 words used.

• Susie’s story: How Susie came to create the world's first organic cotton tampon

• The brand: Natracare

• Susie’s passion(video): Project #BeKind

• Susie’s MBE award from King Charles III recognized in Britain

• Susie speaking at GOTS and OTB forum 

• Susie’s article on greenwashing in personal care products for Organic Textile Week

• Susie featured in Forbes magazine

• Susie named as Sustainability and Social Responsibility industry leader in Medium

• Susie featured in Green Matters’ It’s Giving…Earth Day

• Susie named as one of “15 Inspiring Women to Follow in the Sustainability Space”

• Susie paving the way for plastic-free menstrual products

• Susie as an Earth Protector Trustee

• Natracare’s membership in 1% for the Planet

• Natracare’s campaign: Green your life. PERIOD.

• Natracare applauds tampon study and makes its own independent testing publicly available

• Natracare reduces period-related waste: Planet-Friendly Periods

• Natracare products validated and certified compostable

• Natracare’s partnership with WECF International: Supporting Women and Girls in Ukraine: A Collaboration with Natracare and Marsh Zhinok (Women’s March Ukraine

• Natracare’s EWG certification for Makeup Remover Wipes

Total 249 words used.

Susie’s lifetime contributions to menstrual health and the environment cannot be overstated:

1. Pioneering role: Susie’s outrage at the medical and environmental dangers inherent in commercial period products led her—with no prior industry experience—to research healthy solutions and establish Natracare in 1989.

2. Innovation: Under Susie’s direction, Natracare introduced the world’s first organic cotton tampons and plastic-free pads. Continuously designing for change, the brand is recognised as the innovator in the organic and natural category.

3. Environmental focus: Natracare’s products eliminate oil-based plastics, reducing a woman’s period-related waste from 300 pounds to zero. Unlike other products containing plastics, which will break down into microplastics over centuries, Natracare products are validated and certified compostable.

4. Organic standards: Susie has been instrumental in pushing for higher organic standards in the feminine hygiene industry, sitting on national committees and boards, writing scientific papers, and meeting with decision-makers at all levels.

5. Ethical business practices: Rooted in integrity and transparency, Susie is passionately committed to avoiding any misleading or false claims, and she has consistently promoted fair trade and ethical sourcing of materials for her products.

6. Awareness campaigns: Susie has worked tirelessly to raise awareness about the environmental impact of conventional feminine hygiene products, weathering threats and legal battles in her commitment to truth.

7. Women’s health advocacy: For 35 years, Susie has been vocal about women’s period health and the importance of using chemical-free menstrual products.

8. Industry influence: Known as a disruptor, Susie has impacted the broader personal care industry, encouraging other companies to consider more sustainable options.