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Anatomical diagram of the sanitary belt and all its pieces, alongside a figure diagram of it being worn.
Sanitary belt diagram from 1956.

Mary Beatrice Davidson Kenner patents the sanitary belt for menstrual pads.

1957

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Sanitary belt diagram from 1956.

Kenner holds the most patents of any African-American woman. She first came up with the idea of the belt in the 1920s, but couldn't afford a patent at the time. The Sonn-Nap-Pack Company looks to market her invention after she patents it in 1957, but when they learn she is Black, they decline to take it on.

Kenner will also patent a tray and carrier to attach to a wheelchair and a mounted back washer and massager, amongst other products used today.