‪Only 62% of black mothers in New Orleans receive adequate prenatal care. When it comes to maternal mortality, four black mothers die for every white mother in Louisiana. There are many options to address the maternal health crisis, such as voluntary home visits by trained community health workers for at-risk mothers and newborns, a targeted public education campaign, and implicit bias training for health care professionals to address disparities in treatment that negatively affect pregnant women, among other possible solutions.

At the Ladies' Power Hour event to promote leadership among young women in the city, Mayor LaToya Cantrell announced a new initiative: HerNOLA. According to Office of Youth and Families Director Emily Wolff, "HerNOLA is about creating a future where there are no glass ceilings and where girls have access to mentors who can help them to lead with confidence, steadfastness and resolve."



During Essence festival last month, Mayor Cantrell spoke at an event hosted by the Jane Club and attended by Retta, Iman, Tina Knowles-Lawson, Aryn Drake-Lee, and a wide array of powerful black women CEOs and celebrities, to benefit Action New Orleans. The Mayor spoke openly and honestly about her experience as a mother, and how her experience informs her approach to maternal health policy. You can watch the full video here.




If you want to support us in our efforts to provide the care that young mothers need and deserve, you can donate to our cause today,

Action New Orleans