Darartu was born and raised in Shashamane, Ethiopia, and moved to Minnesota at 12. Growing up in Ethiopia, she saw a lot of students skipping school due to not having menstrual health hygiene products and has been passionate about ending period poverty ever since. Through Bilisummaa, Darartu has helped thousands of people receive menstrual health education and hygiene products. Darartu is a graduate of Pomona College and resides in Minnesota.