Mary Beatrice Davidson: The Woman Who Invented Sanitary Pad Belts

Racism has consumed countless identities, lives and ideas, and one of them was the great inventor- Mary Beatrice Davidson Kenner. Her inventions continue to live and thrive in the 21st century. Sanitary pad belts, walkers, and toilet paper dispensers are some of her greatest inventions among others. 

The Untold Story Of Mary Beatrice Davidson Kenner

Kenner was born to a family of inventors and always had a knack for fixing or making things as she discovered her surroundings. Her curiosity pushed her to imagine and create even as a child. Her father, Sidney Nathaniel Davidson was an inventor who got a patent in 1914 for a clothing presser adjustable to fit inside a suitcase. Her sister Mildred Davidson Austin Smith patented a board game in 1980 while her maternal grandfather invented a tricolour light signal for trains along with a stretcher with wheels for ambulances. 

It was not peculiar for Kenner to be born a genius when her genes exuded brilliance and timeless thinkers. Since her childhood, Kenner was eager to unleash her curious mind by building and inventing things. From building a self-oiling door to a portable ashtray attached to a pack of cigarettes her inventions never stopped.

Her entire life was devoted towards inventing better things and fighting for what she believed in. After 5 patents and struggling to get acknowledged, Kenner is still a forgotten legend. In 1924, her family shifted to Washington DC where she graduated high school and then went on to pursue her bachelor's from Howard University. It was due to certain financial constraints that Kenner had to drop out of the University and make ends meet by working. 

World War II loomed large and she took a job as a federal employee after which she became a professional florist and worked on her inventions. 1957 was the year of her first and most famous invention - sanitary belts which were used to make sanitary pads stay in one place. At that time, adhesive or wing pads and tampons were not invented. Even though Kenner had invented the sanitary belt long ago due to consistent racism and sexism which made it difficult for her to obtain a patent. This was not only true of this invention but her other four as well. 

In Laura F. Jeffrey’s book, 'Amazing American Inventors of the 20th Century,' Kenner was quoted. She recalled her story, "One day I was contacted by a company that expressed an interest in marketing my idea. I was so jubilant … I saw houses, cars and everything about to come my way." She continued, "Sorry to say, when they found out I was black, their interest dropped."

Kenner stood as an example of strength and resilience, showing unwavering courage and devotion towards her work and passion for invention.