Mary Beatrice Davidson Kenner

An American inventor most noted for her development of the adjustable sanitary belt.

The Inventor

Did you know Mary Beatrice Davidson Kenner was the brilliant woman behind pads (also referred to as sanitary napkins)? It was first called the sanitary belt – a predecessor to the pad.

About Mary

Born in 1912 in Monroe in North Carolina we honor Mary Beatrice Davidson Kenner, the brilliant woman that developed the sanitary napkin. Mary’s invention was initially rejected because of racial discrimination but 30 years later (in 1956) it was accepted.

Sanitary Belt Patents

She received five patents for her household inventions – The Sanitary Belt, a serving tray, a pocket that connects to a walker, a toilet paper holder that ensures the loose end of the paper is within reach and more.

Elastic Sanitary Belt

Kenner was born into a family of inventive thinkers. Women all over the world have benefited from this solution to their feminine needs so it would only be right that we at Peace Pads show love to the one that invented it, our sister and ancestor -Mary Beatrice Davidson Kenner