Mary Kenner was granted her first patent for the sanitary belt, a significant innovation in menstrual care.
On June 19, 1956, Mary Beatrice Davidson Kenner received US Patent 2,745,906 for the sanitary belt. This invention was designed to keep sanitary napkins in place, preventing leaks and chafing while improving comfort. It was a revolutionary development in menstrual hygiene products at a time when such innovations were rare. Kenner's sanitary belt is considered a precursor to contemporary menstrual products, despite the fact that racial biases in manufacturing industries prevented her from marketing the product widely at the time. More than an invention, it demonstrated Kenner's commitment to addressing practical gaps in daily life, empowering women, and achieving breakthroughs in personal care technology.