WHEN: Fall 2018.
FOR WHO: This piece was featured in "The Expression Issue" of The Edge Magazine: a fashion & lifestyle magazine created by Elon University students.
WHY: I served as a Beauty and Wellness Section Contributor for The Edge. I was chosen to write the following piece for the 2018 fall print issue. View the full 2018 issue by clicking the button at the bottom of this page.
As a sophomore in college, I also wrote online content for The Edge that you can find by clicking here.
WHAT: This article was about Elon's What's in Your Box? campus representative. I set up an interview with the campus rep. Shay Friedman and wrote the following article about our conversation.
What's in Your Box?
How an Elon student is helping break the stigma around female sexual health and pleasure
College-age students are constantly being told "don't forget a condom!" However, when was the last time someone recommended you an eco-friendly lube or recovery pill for post-sex? Christine Long, CEO, boss babe, and founder of "What's in Your Box" has been able to do just that. The monthly subscription box was created to "open the dialogue around women's sexual health to empower all women to explore their bodies freely without shame.” Sexual pleasure and hygiene are currently a taboo topic of conversation, especially on college campuses. The box exists in effort to break the stigma and inspire confidence "in the bedroom and beyond." The products not only emphasize safe sex, but also how to make it enjoyable. We met with 22-year-old Elon senior Shay Friedman who is Elon's very own "What's In Your Box?" ambassador to find out how she brought the box to our campus.
EDGE: Ok, so why did you become a campus representative? Was it just because you saw the application or do you connect with it in some way?
SHAY: Yes, I just connect with it. I was a follower before, and I'm now an ambassador. I've always been drawn to female empowerment and sexual health so this just kind of mixed it all together and I thought it would be a great opportunity to bring that to Elon, more so than what we already have here. And it's been super cool because there have been times where I've just been around and meeting new girls and they go, "Oh, you run the "What's In Your Box" Instagram page, and I'm like, "Yeah that’s me!"
E: Are you comfortable with people knowing you personally are the campus representative?
SF: Oh, absolutely. I welcome questions or concerns, whatever anyone wants to know.
E: We noticed 5 days ago you posted on Instagram that the company switched from a subscription box to a shop service. Why did that happen? Did you know or did they just notify you?
SF: Yes, we are a very new company and it just felt like the right move. The founder Christine felt like we sort of outgrew the box and that a shop would be better.
E: You said you wanted to bring "What's In Your Box?" to Elon as a combination of your passions and that it would be good for our campus. Do you notice a stigma around women's sexual health and understanding at Elon?
SF: So, I think we're … I don't know exactly what the statistic is ... we're obviously a largely female community. I feel like we have some organizations that are amazing. We have SPARKS, we have the GLC ... but these organizations don't show women fun stuff that's also empowering. I felt like it was important for women to realize there shouldn't be a stigma on being happy with your body.
E: What do you think is the best or most applicable product for college students or students on Elon’s campus specifically?
SF: We do have a selection of vibrators. There's one that’s pink and it's called the "butterfly vibe'' or something. I just think that's cool because it kinda shows women that you don't need a partner to enjoy your sex life. And then another great thing about all the products is that the majority of them are eco-friendly, good for the environment and some are vegan as well. So, there are good options!
Show your body some love and head over to Shays Instagram @whatsinyourboxelon and give it a follow. Become an Elon #boxbabe by signing up with your Elon email and using the code GETYOURS* at checkout. Visit the company blog "Sex, Feels and Feminism" for loads of online conversation and empowerment https://www.whatsinyourbox.com/blog/.
*The code is applicable only for throwback boxes