No images? Click here [link removed]

Today, on what would have been Kira Dixon Johnson’s 44th birthday, March for Moms and 4Kira4Moms name Breana Lipscomb the inaugural Kira Johnson Advocate of the Year, sponsored by UnitedHealthcare. Over the past few months, the COVID-19 public health crisis has exacerbated the dire faults and inequities within the American maternal health care system. Now more than ever, it’s important to recognize individuals who are doing important work to improve the lives of mothers and growing families. Lipscomb, who has played an integral role in this week’s extension of postpartum Medicaid coverage for moms in Georgia, will use the platform of Advocate of the Year to champion improving Black maternal health.

March for Moms and 4Kira4Moms selected Lipscomb, who is the Senior Manager of the Maternal Health and Rights Initiative at the Center for Reproductive Rights, for her demonstrated commitment to improving dignity, respect, and support for all mothers in America with the award. Named after the late Kira Dixon Johnson, who tragically lost her life following a repeat c-section with her second son, the award is designed to expand the movement for maternal health by providing training and a platform for an advocate to deepen their work.

An incredible champion for Black maternal health, Lipscomb joined the Center’s U.S. Human Rights team in 2017 as the first U.S. Maternal Health and Rights Initiative Manager for the organization. In this role, she develops advocacy campaigns to promote Black maternal health, particularly in the South, mobilizing a broad base of stakeholders – policymakers, reproductive justice community, public health professionals, medical community, and advocates – to advance state level policies that further reproductive rights as human rights. Breana also serves as a Board member of Black Mamas Matter Alliance. She has more than fifteen years of experience in public health, including in nonprofits and state government. A resident of Georgia, Breana has a BS in Biology and a Masters of Public Health from the University of Alabama at Birmingham.

“We are thrilled to honor Breanna with the inaugural Kira Johnson Advocate of the year award,” said Charles Johnson, husband of Kira Johnson and founder of 4Kira4Moms. “Breana’s relentless commitment to improving maternal health outcomes embodies everything that Kira’s legacy represents. We are looking forward to working closely with Breanna to empower and strengthen families.”

In addition to a $5,000 stipend, March for Moms will cover the costs for policy and advocacy training opportunities for the Breana to expand her advocacy work.

Want to learn more about how you can advocate for better care for growing families today? Visit our website [[link removed]]!

Please join us in honoring Kira today and congratulating Breana on this award!

About March for Moms: March for Moms is a non-partisan, 501 ©(3) non-profit that aligns the diverse voices of families, health care providers, policymakers, and partners to advocate for mothers and families’ health, well-being and equal access to care.

To learn more about March for Moms, please see our 2019 Impact Report [[link removed]] or reach out to our Executive Director [[email protected]]

DONATE TODAY [[link removed]] March For Moms

PO BOX 751

Walpole, MA 02081 You're receiving this email because you opted to receive updates and newsletters from March For Moms. Share [link removed] Tweet [link removed] Forward [link removed] Preferences [link removed] | Unsubscribe [link removed]