In 1926, American historian Carter G. Woodson, and the renamed Association for the Study of African American Life and History, created “Negro History Week” during the birthdays of Frederick Douglass and President Abraham Lincoln, who were both highly respected by Black communities. Fifty years later, in 1976, President Gerald Ford recognized Black History Month and it was celebrated throughout the U.S.
Similarly, in 2018, the Black Mamas Matter Alliance founded Black Maternal Health Week with goals to increase the visibility of Black-led maternal initiatives, ignite activism and community building, amplify the voices of Black mamas, and center reproductive and birth justice within human rights.
As Black women continue to be harmed or die while bringing forth life, it’s important to state that when we improve maternal health for Black mamas, we improve health for all moms and birthing people. Black history is American history; both are connected, and interwoven into the fabric of this country.
Still, Black women are harmed or die 3-4 times more than White women, and 80% of these pregnancy-related deaths are preventable. This begs the question: How do we eliminate racism, harm, and death for Black women?
Every day in this American life we are charged to work where we can have the greatest impact to improve pregnancy and birth for Black moms and babies. Here’s a short list for starters:
- Provide education and pathways into practice for more Black healthcare providers
- Increase healthcare quality and access, especially in rural communities
- Improve insurance coverage for sexual and reproductive health
- Fund research that prioritizes Black mamas and Black research scientists
- Train healthcare providers in respectful maternity care to ensure everyone giving birth, and their partners, are treated with respect
- Provide focused education to enhance knowledge about pregnancy and postbirth warning signs
- Believe Black mamas when they describe concerns about their pregnancy, during childbirth, or postpartum
To reduce the deaths of Black birthing women, we need a collective seismic shift in our nation, institutions, hospitals, and hearts. We must hold maternity care providers accountable for harmful attitudes and actions and agree that we have the solutions we need to act right here, right now.
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