Nadya Okamoto


Nadya Okamoto is an American social entrepreneur and activist, known as the founder and former executive director of the non-profit organization Period Inc. She is the author of Period Power: A Manifesto for the Menstrual Movement, published in October 2018. In 2017, Okamoto launched an unsuccessful bid for a seat on the Cambridge City Council. In December 2019, Okamoto was named one of Forbes 30 Under 30 in law and policy.

Early life

Okamoto was born in New York City before moving to Portland, Oregon where she attended Catlin Gabel School. During her senior year of high school, Okamoto received several scholarships, including the Gates Millennium Scholarship.
Her mother, Sophia Tzeng, graduated from Harvard University in 1995 and later Columbia Law School. Tzeng was previously a visiting instructor of social impact management at the University of Portland.

Career

In December 2014, Okamoto founded Period Inc. with Vincent Forand, a high school classmate. The organization distributes menstrual hygiene products to people in need, involves youth leaders through campus chapters at universities and high schools around the United States, and advocates for ending what is known as the tampon tax.
Okamoto moved to Cambridge, Massachusetts, in August 2016 to attend Harvard College. Less than seven months later, Okamoto announced her candidacy for Cambridge City Council, with a campaign team primarily composed of other Harvard students. She was the youngest candidate in the race and focused her campaign on issues of affordable housing, education equity, and climate change. Okamoto eventually lost the election, taking 15th place out of 26 candidates.