• Skip to main content
  • Skip to secondary menu
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
BlackDoctor.org
Where Wellness & Culture Connect

Where Wellness & Culture Connect

  • Health Conditions
  • Wellness
  • Lifestyle
  • Longevity
  • Resource Centers
    • Clinical Trials Resource Center
    • Wellness on the Yard
    • Cancer Resource Center
    • Covid Resource Center
  • Find A Doctor
  • BDO TV
Home / Mary Beatrice Davidson Kenner: The Forgotten Inventor Who Changed Women’s Health Forever

Mary Beatrice Davidson Kenner: The Forgotten Inventor Who Changed Women’s Health Forever

her sister, Mildred Davidson Austin Smith (1916–1993) invented and commercially sold board games.

She invented the sanitary belt with moisture-proof napkin pocket, which was not used until 30 years after she invented it. The company that first showed interest in her invention rejected it after they discovered that she was an African American woman. In 1957, she was finally able to save up enough money to get her first patent on the sanitary belt.

(Kenner’s patent rendering for the tissue paper holder)

“One day I was contacted by a company that expressed an interest in marketing my idea. I was so jubilant,” she said in an interview. “I saw houses, cars, and everything about to come my way.” A company rep drove to Kenner’s house in Washington to meet with their prospective client. “Sorry to say, when they found out I was black, their interest dropped. The representative went back to New York and informed me the company was no longer interested.”

During World War II in 1941, Mary found a job with the federal government. She worked for the Census Bureau, and later for the General Accounting Office. She also chaperoned younger women who attended dances at military bases in the Washington, DC, area.

You May Also Like
View Our Resources To Better Understand How Clinical Trials May Help Advance Research

One evening when Mary was chaperoning a dance, she met a soldier, James “Jabbo” Kenner. They fell in love and got married. He was a boxer (hence the name “Jabbo”). They adopted three boys but had no kids of their own. She retired from the government work around the same time, after which she opened a flower shop in the Washington DC area while continuing to invent big and small things.

Between 1956 and 1987 she received five total patents for her household and personal item creations. One of her patents held was one on a back washer that could be mounted on the shower or bathtub wall.

Mary’s third patent in 1976, was that for a special attachment for a walker or a wheelchair that included a hard-surfaced tray and a soft pocket for carrying items. The inspiration for this idea came from

Previous page Continue Reading

The Latest In General Health

addiction acknowledge it

Addiction: Acknowledge It & Conquer It

Addiction, acknowledge it. As we know, addiction has been a major issue within the black community for decades. It is a brain disease that affects millions of people every day.  It's simply the action of partaking in activities that have read more about Addiction: Acknowledge It & Conquer It
healthy BBQ

6 Healthy Spins On Your BBQ Favorites

Summer is right around the corner and what better way to celebrate than with a classic healthy BBQ cookout? We all know the classic favorites: BBQ chicken, hot dogs, burgers, baked beans, and you guessed it... potato salad! These foods read more about 6 Healthy Spins On Your BBQ Favorites

Setting Boundaries With Roommates

Sharing a space with someone you haven't known for long can be difficult. As a college student, you can expect a roommate that has different habits, morals, cleaning styles, and even living experiences than you. Setting boundaries with roommates is read more about Setting Boundaries With Roommates
food alternatives

Food Alternatives

Food can be easy to ingest but hard to digest; if you consider eating the wrong things, this could affect your health. You can divert to food alternatives to maintain a nutritional balance when considering balancing your food and eating read more about Food Alternatives
blood health

6 Keys For Optimal Blood Health

Blood is the life force of our bodies, essential for keeping us alive. We depend on blood to transport nutrients, oxygen, and other substances to the cells throughout our body, as well as provide immunity and protection from sickness and read more about 6 Keys For Optimal Blood Health

BlackDoctor.Org and Merck Announce Historic Partnership

BlackDoctor.org (BDO) and Merck, known as MSD outside the United States and Canada, are working together to improve Black American participation in clinical trials. Increasing involvement in clinical trials by Black Americans is paramount to improving the quality of healthcare read more about BlackDoctor.Org and Merck Announce Historic Partnership

Primary Sidebar

Subscribe to our newsletter

Poll

Popular Posts

  • Lionel Richie Shares His Top 3 ‘Anti-Aging Secrets’Lionel Richie Shares His Top 3 ‘Anti-Aging Secrets’
  • Angela Bassett 7-Year Journey to Parenthood: Enjoy the JourneyAngela Bassett 7-Year Journey to Parenthood: Enjoy the Journey
  • YouTuber and Relationship ‘Expert’ Kevin Samuels Cause of Death RevealedYouTuber and Relationship 'Expert' Kevin Samuels Cause of Death Revealed
  • ‘COVID Toes’ Might Be a Sign You Had the Disease'COVID Toes' Might Be a Sign You Had the Disease
  • Football Legend & Coach Deion Sanders Has Toes AmputatedFootball Legend & Coach Deion Sanders Has Toes Amputated

Footer

Where Wellness & Culture Connect

BDO is the world’s largest and most comprehensive online health resource specifically targeted to African Americans. BDO understands that the uniqueness of Black culture - our heritage and our traditions - plays a role in our health. BDO gives you access to innovative new approaches to the health information you need in everyday language so you can break through the disparities, gain control and live your life to its fullest.

Connect With Us

Learn More About

  • Hepatitis C
  • Diabetes
  • Sickle Cell
  • Mental Health
  • About Us
  • Privacy Policy
  • Advertise With Us
  • BlackDoctor.org Advertising and Sponsorship Policy
  • Daily Vitamina
  • TBH

Copyright © 2023, BlackDoctor, Inc. All rights reserved.