A Global Sisterhood
A world where communities gather around food to celebrate reproductive justice and equitable health for all.
Empowering vulnerable populations with reproductive justice workshops and sustainable daily hygiene essentials.
Our Mission
Meet the Team
Joumana Asfour is a co-founder and CEO of Gauz for Life. She is Ph.D student at the University of Oklahoma studying Educational Leadership and Policy. She is a public educator, a published author and has been featured on podcasts and documentaries. She completed her Bachelors of Arts at New York University. She has two cats: Mister and Lizard and enjoys traveling the world.
Cindy Belardo (she/her) is the Treasurer of the Board for Gauz for Life. She is a proud Asian, Hispanic and Native American Woman. Her background is in Environmental Studies and Pre-medicine from the University of Oklahoma. She is the CEO of Sunny, the first FDA-Cleared period cup with an applicator. She has given a TEDx Talk on "Menstrual Cups for Women's Empowerment," and is the author of period education graphic novel, "June and the Menstrual Mates," and she is a health advocate and yoga teacher. Currently based in Massachusetts with her husband, she enjoys hiking and hosting potlucks with friends.
Rasha Asfour is a co-founder, secretary and creative led at Gauz for Life, helping drive initiatives at the intersection of healthcare, education, and inclusivity. She is a health advocate with a global upbringing and a strong appreciation for cultural diversity. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Public Health and Health Communication from the University of Oklahoma and is passionate about supporting the communities she is part of.
Rasha currently works as an Administrative Assistant for a management company overseeing ambulatory surgery centers, where she supports daily operations with strong attention to detail and a collaborative, solutions-focused approach. Known for being upbeat, creative, and eager to learn, she is dedicated to expanding her knowledge and using it to improve health systems. She plans to pursue a Master’s degree in Policy and Public Health Administration to further advance equitable and accessible healthcare for all communities.
Our Story
Let us Introduce Gauz for Life. A new space for healing.
We began as a passion project and an idea to help end period poverty for refugee women around the world. Guided by the question: how do we get sustainable eco-friendly menstrual products to those most vulnerable in need and often neglected? Together we shared food. We discussed it over dinner time. We talked about how collective healing happens around and through food. We talked about how food makes us cramp.
Maybe we were hungry.
Alas - it is here that we developed our vision: A global sisterhood that recognizes the intersectionality of reproductive justice and health equity.
We all deserve a network that we can trust, count on and learn with.
Upcoming Events
Come meet us on June 20th from 2PM to 6 PM at 186 West Squantum, MA for our official launch!
And save the date! We will be presenting an interactive session at the National Women’s Studies Association Conference in Atlanta, GA in November 2026.
We look forward to meeting and learning beside you guys then!