April 18th 2024.
Renowned journalist and "Project Runway" star, Elaine Welteroth, has taken a bold step in addressing the alarming Black maternal health crisis in the United States. With the help of high-profile celebrities like Serena Williams, she has launched BirthFUND, a revolutionary initiative that aims to provide midwifery services to Black mothers.
In honor of Black Maternal Health Week, Welteroth made the exciting announcement on April 11th, stating her goal to combat the troubling statistics surrounding Black maternal health. She joined forces with Williams, a tennis champion, to improve outcomes for Black mothers and their babies. In an Instagram post, Welteroth wrote, "We're done waiting for someone else to fix what's broken. It's on us to save us. One family at a time."
On the same day, Time published an essay co-authored by Welteroth and Williams, titled "We Shouldn't Have to be Willing to Die to Give Birth in the United States." In this powerful piece, the duo shared their own birth experiences and heartbreaking facts about the 3,400 women who have lost their lives during childbirth since Welteroth and Williams became mothers.
The statistics from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention are staggering, showing that Black women are three times more likely to die from pregnancy-related causes than white women. This makes the BirthFUND initiative even more crucial in providing much-needed support and resources for Black mothers.
Welteroth and Williams wrote, "Having babies in America was a wake-up call for both of us. Like many parents, especially first-time parents, we never anticipated the harrowing experiences we would have on the road to motherhood." They emphasized that although they have achieved many successes in their lives and careers, the experience of being pregnant and Black in America left them feeling disempowered and at the mercy of a system that is failing women of color.
The essay continued, "The CDC reports that Black women are three times more likely to die during and after childbirth than white women. Giving birth shouldn't have made us fearful for our lives, but unfortunately, it did. And this is not just a faraway problem. Nearly half of all mothers in the US describe their birth experiences as traumatic."
The BirthFUND is supported by a coalition of Founding Family Funders, including Williams and her husband, Alexis Ohanian, as well as other influential figures like Savannah James, Ayesha Curry, Kelly Rowland, John Legend and Chrissy Teigen, and Karlie Kloss. These generous donors have raised funds to provide out-of-pocket midwifery care for families in need.
Solving the Black maternal health crisis will require significant efforts from various sectors, including medical institutions and the government. However, Welteroth and Williams are confident that the inclusion of midwives in the birth process will make a significant impact in addressing this pressing issue.
"Our goal with BirthFUND is to remove financial barriers to quality care and expand education and choice for parents. Every family deserves access to safe and dignified care, regardless of their location or birthing preferences," they stated. "Unfortunately, this human right is out of reach for many. It's taking too long to fix what's broken. We are ready to tackle this issue head-on, and we hope families and companies across the country will join us."
For those looking to support the BirthFUND, there are various ways to get involved, including making donations, joining the organization, or following them on social media. This initiative has the potential to make a significant impact in the lives of Black mothers and their babies, and with the support of the community, it can bring about much-needed change.
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