Last week, we learned about Amber Nicole Thurman. She was 28, a young mother with a 6-year-old son. She worked as a medical assistant and wanted to become a nurse. But that dream was cut short because Georgia’s abortion ban tied her doctors’ hands when she needed them the most.

Then, there is Candi Miller, also in Georgia. Miller died from similar complications exacerbated by the abortion ban. Both Miller and Thurman are Black women whose tragic stories reflect the dire Black maternal mortality rates that follow states with abortion bans.

None of these devastating consequences should surprise us. Research shows states with restrictive abortion policies also have higher maternal mortality rates. Abortion bans and inadequate pregnancy-related care gravely harms pregnant people nationwide, and disproportionately, Black women. Now is the moment we all need to fight to restore abortion rights and fully prevent government interference, ensuring every pregnant person has access to the care they need and that everyone is free to make health care decisions throughout pregnancy.

NIRH Action Fund is dedicated to kicking out anti-abortion politicians from state legislatures and replacing them with reproductive freedom champions. We need your help electing changemakers. Will you join our growing list of grassroots supporters today?

In solidarity,

Haydee Morales, she/her/ella
Interim President
National Institute for Reproductive Health Action Fund