A number of our MCH students attended the 2021 Black Maternal Health Conference, hosted by the Black Mamas Matter Alliance (BMMA), April 16-17, online. What follows is a post from one of the attendees.
By Jade D. Zachery, BS
I thoroughly enjoyed the entire Black Mamas Matter Conference 2021. I loved the panel that had Midwife Jennie Joseph and Dr. Joia Crear-Perry along with two other fantastic finalists. I really loved learning about the establishment of the Office of Sexual and Reproductive Health and Wellbeing and hearing about the great things that will happen once it comes into play. Hearing multiple professionals talk about the importance of reproductive health, and women and birthing people having access to it, makes me feel good about a potential field that I am interested in. “An OSRHW would elevate issues of reproductive justice, addressing issues related to health care access; economic inequality; discrimination based on race, gender identity, and sexual orientation; food security; housing stability; environmental justice; immigrant’s rights; disability rights; and more.”
“An OSRHW would elevate issues of reproductive justice, addressing issues related to health care access; economic inequality; discrimination based on race, gender identity, and sexual orientation; food security; housing stability; environmental justice; immigrant’s rights; disability rights; and more.”
Letter to White House
This is just as important as the Black Maternal Health Momnibus Act of 2021 which builds on existing legislation to address every dimension of the maternal health crisis in America. Congressional leaders have been fighting for the Momnibus Act for Black women and birthing people, especially for the postpartum period. The Momnibus Act will make investments regarding social determinants of health, community-based organizations, the growth and diversification of the perinatal workforce, improvements in data collection, and support for birthing people and their babies exposed to climate change-related risks.
It makes me so appreciative of all the attention being brought to light for Black and POC women and birthing people, so that things that have been negatively affecting us for so long, like maternal mortality and medical racism, can be changed. There should be no way that we are one of the richest countries in the world and have the horrible statistics we have. This makes me so happy to know that changes are being made and information is being brought up to the right people to help ensure that change can be made!
Jade D. Zachery, BS, is a first year MPH student concentrating in Maternal and Child Health. She plans to graduate in Spring 2022. Her interests include maternal and child health, maternal mortality, health disparities, and doula and advocacy work. She hopes to work with mothers and babies in some capacity in the future. In her free time, she likes reading, listening to music, and sleeping.
