July 13th 2024.
Allyson Felix, an incredible athlete known for her achievements in the Olympic track and field events, has also become a prominent advocate for Black maternal health. Recently, she received a sizable grant of $20 million from Melinda Gates' $1 billion investment initiative, which was announced in May. This grant serves as a recognition of Felix's unwavering determination to improve Black maternal health in the United States, reflecting Gates' own commitment to supporting organizations that champion women's and families' rights, as well as reproductive rights.
In a statement to The New York Times, Gates highlighted the severe lack of funding for causes that specifically focus on women. She pointed out that only a mere 2 percent of all charitable giving in the U.S. goes towards organizations that prioritize women and girls, and a mere half a percentage point goes to organizations that focus on women of color. This grant to Felix is just one part of a larger initiative by Gates to address this issue. Gates also emphasized the importance of not shying away from discussions about gender equality, especially in the face of other pressing global issues. She believes that advocating for women and girls is always relevant and necessary, even when it may not be the most popular topic.
This grant has ambitious goals, aiming to tackle crucial issues such as the disproportionately high maternal mortality rates among Black and Native American mothers, the erosion of reproductive rights in 14 states, and the absence of national paid family leave in the U.S. In addition to the financial support, Felix's personal experiences have also played a significant role in her advocacy for Black maternal health. According to NBC Olympics, Felix has teamed up with Pampers to create the first-ever nursery in the Olympic Village at the 2024 Paris Olympics. This groundbreaking initiative, located at the heart of the athletes' residential area, provides a safe and nurturing space for competing mothers to bond with their infants.
Felix explained that this project was especially important to her because she wanted to support athlete mothers. She wanted to create a space where families could escape the pressures of the Games and have the comforts of home. The nursery includes areas for playtime and feeding, and Felix hopes that it will make mothers and their families feel supported and cared for during this intense and highly competitive event.
This is not the first time that Felix has partnered with Pampers to bring attention to Black maternal health. In the past, she has worked with the brand to secure a pledge of $250,000 towards the cause and also donated $100,000 to the National Birth Equity Collaborative. As previously reported by BLACK ENTERPRISE, Felix shared her personal story of undergoing an emergency C-section due to preeclampsia in 2018. She later testified before Congress about the racial disparities in maternal care, describing her pregnancy as a "lonely and isolating time" and revealing that she had to hide it from her sponsor Nike due to contractual concerns.
Overall, Felix's work as an advocate for Black maternal health has been instrumental in raising awareness and pushing for change. With the support of Melinda Gates' grant and her ongoing partnership with Pampers, Felix continues to make a significant impact in this important and often overlooked issue.
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