About Femina Global
What started as classroom-based education evolved into global outreach through workshops, teaching materials, and grassroots programs focused on women’s health, empowerment, and communication. Much of this work has taken place in rural communities in Guatemala, where access to reproductive health education and basic supplies is often limited.
One of Femina Global’s most impactful initiatives is the distribution of reusable menstrual care kits. These kits—handmade by volunteers in Southwest Florida—include washable pads, underwear, and protective materials that can be reused for up to three years. For many women and girls, this means no longer missing school or work during their menstrual cycles, and having a safer, more reliable alternative to improvised materials.
In addition to menstrual health support, Femina Global develops simple, low-cost educational tools like fertility bracelets, designed to help women understand their cycles in a way that is visual, practical, and accessible regardless of literacy level. These tools promote informed decision-making, health awareness, and communication between partners.
Behind the scenes, a dedicated network of volunteers contributes time, materials, and care to every project—sewing kits, assembling resources, and supporting distribution efforts that reach women and girls globally.
At its core, Femina Global is about meeting women where they are—with respect, education, and tools that create real, everyday impact.
Meet Our Team
Bonnie Jean Clancy
Bonnie Jean is a retired occupational therapist and a lifelong organic grower.
She was born and raised in upstate New York, the land of the indigenous Haudenosaunee, whose society and agriculture honored All people and All of their partners in nature.
This early background, along with her work with migrant workers in her teens and college years led to her interest in Femina Global.
Bonnie Jean operates Bonnie Jeans Garden as a supplier of seeds and plant starts to lower income people in her Fort Myers community. She also works as an educator helping people learn to grow healthy edible and medicinal plants.
Genelle G. Grant, Ed.D.
Genelle has taught in Puerto Rico, Colombia, Cuba, Guatemala, Mexico, New Hampshire, Boston, and Florida. She is the U.S. and Central American Coordinator for the India-based Maasika Mahatsov or global Period Festival. Dr. Grant’s areas of expertise are: reproductive and health education, community organizing, TV and radio production, community mural painting, and educational methods and materials development.
Shelley Graff, SingFest Florida
SingFest is an event held in person in St. Petersburg, Florida as well as virtually on Zoom at the end of January each year. Shelley’s CDs, Moon Mama, Fire On The Arrow, Coming Home and For All the Womyn were inspired by and are a tribute to the healing/sounding singing circle work of the late Kay Gardner.
For additional information about Shelley’s journey or work, please visit www.shelleyg.com
Contact: shelleygraffmusic@gmail.com CDs & Downloads available: www.goldenrod.com
María Graciela Velazuez Chuc
Graciela is an eyom or midwife and a Maya Keeper of Time. She provides Mayan therapy and is a community leader in Totonicapán and Quiché, Guatemala. Graciela has traveled to Nepal, Dubai, Spain, Costa Rica, Bolivia, and Mexico, promoting health and natural HIV treatments. She works for the healing of body, Earth, and territory.
Doña Graciela uses the important elements: fire, water, air, and earth through healing plants, seeds, stones, bark, and incense. She is in the directory of a book on Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus and is a legal representative of the KAWOQ Association of Midwives.
Luzcelina Garcia, MSW.
Lucy Garcia was born in Mexico, raised her family in Chicago, and moved to Lee County in Florida in 2002. She worked as an ESL Paraprofessional, Special-Ed Teacher Assistant in the Lee County System, and as a Spanish Teacher in the US Charter Schools. Lucy was a Life Skills Counselor with Southwest Florida Addiction Services in the for women coming out of jail and provided Court Mandated Domestic Violence Counseling for Spanish speaking Lee residents. In 2014 Lucy founded OILE; a Non-Profit 501-C3 Social Services Organization for the Latino and Migrant population. In 2016 Lucy graduated with a Master’s degree in Social Work. In 2022 OILE/Healing Stitches became a United Way House serving the Latino population, or anyone who requires assistance from a Social Service Agency.
Toni Latino, Esquire.
While in Tallahassee at Florida State University, Toni created the Community Legal Assistance Project to prepare simple legal documentsfor AIDS patients. She practiced family law in Fort Lauderdale and, after 2010, in Fort Myers, in partnership with her husband, Tony Borras. Toni served for many years on the Board of Directors for Legal Aid Services of Lee County. After closing their law practice in 2017, Toni served as Interim Executive Director of Legal Aid Services of Lee County. After fully retiring, Toni and Tony moved to Horizon Village in January 2022. Toni is Vice President of Femina Global, Inc. and liaison to the Repro Access Coalition.
Rita Chajil
Rita Chajil (left, with Dr. Rigoberta Menchu Tum)) is a teacher and social worker in San Lucas Tolimán, Guatemala. She is director of the San Lucas Tolimán Scholars Program and administers scholarships for over 1000 local high school students. Lcda. Rita has worked with the GRACE Project and Femina Global since 2007, teaching Reproductive Health and educational methodologies.
Eliza Pasa Oxlaj
Eliza is an elementary and middle school teacher in Cunén, Quiché, Guatemala. She has worked with Femina Global for eight years. Eliza currently teaches at the Escuela Oficial Rural Mixta, Aldea Batzulá.
Our Partners
