Dear ally,

Today marks the first day of Black Maternal Health Week (BMHW) in the United States, a national week of action to raise awareness around Black Maternal Health in the country. The Center for Reproductive Rights proudly joins the Black Mamas Matter Alliance (BMMA)—a national network of maternal health, human rights, and reproductive justice leaders—to amplify issues critical to Black birthing people.

Founded by BMMA, Black Maternal Health Week is a week of awareness, activism, and community building aimed at amplifying the voices of Black Mamas, bringing visibility to Black-led maternal health initiatives, and centering the values and traditions of the reproductive and birth justice movements.

Research indicates that twenty-two percent of Black women in the U.S. receive a lower quality of care than white women and are subject to discrimination in the health care field. Black women also have a maternal mortality rate approximately three times higher than white women. It is clear that Black birthing people need better health care access and policies, which is why this year's theme for BMHW is "Building for Liberation: Centering Black Mamas, Black Families, and Black Systems of Care."

The Center is a founding partner of BMMA, and through our Maternal Health & Rights Initiative, we continue to collaborate with BMMA and member organizations on proactive and progressive maternal health policy. Just last year, the Center joined a coalition to support the Black Maternal Health Momnibus Act of 2021—a package of twelve bills to advance inclusive and accessible maternal health care, especially for Black and Indigenous people who are most impacted by the U.S. maternal health crisis.

Together, we will continue working towards a future where Black birthing people have access to the reproductive health care they need to thrive.

In solidarity,

Nancy Northup
President & CEO