Community-Driven Systems Change

Advances maternal health equity through advocacy campaigns, policy engagement, and public mobilization. Supported 33 pieces of U.S. federal legislation and engaged over 14,681 community members to take more than 17,655 actions for policy change through training and Take Action campaigns.

Produces research briefs, policy analyses (e.g., of H.R. 1), and scholarly works—22 in total with 1,300 citations—to inform maternal health discourse and decision-making. Also produced the Maternal Health in Minnesota Brief for press fellows.

Engages the public through films, events, campaigns, races, and over 50 educational presentations delivered via panels, webinars, articles, and podcasts to raise awareness about maternal health challenges, disparities, and policy solutions.

Funds community-based organizations and models of maternity care—including community birth centers, doulas, and midwifery—to improve access to respectful, equitable care and strengthen the maternity workforce in underserved areas. Has invested over $54 million in such efforts.

Runs a fellowship program that educates journalists on maternal health through virtual learning, site visits (e.g., to Arkansas and Minnesota), and fully covered travel expenses to deepen media understanding and expand coverage of maternal health issues in the U.S.

Creates documentary films such as "No Woman, No Cry" and "Perilous Passage: Birth in America" to examine maternal health challenges in the U.S. and globally, particularly in the context of reproductive rights and systemic inequities. These films have been viewed by 85,623 individuals.

Offers direct services including JustBirth Space, a free virtual support platform providing person-centered text support to over 6,200 birthing people, and Choice in Childbirth, an online educational series to help pregnant individuals understand care options and advocate for their rights.

Launches digital and social media campaigns such as #15ForEveryMom, Birth Justice Now, Delivering Hope, and the Orange Rose campaign to amplify stories of mothers and caregivers, encourage public solidarity, and mobilize support for maternal health globally.

Operates the "Use Your Voice" webpage to enable individuals to contact elected representatives and support key maternal health policies, increasing public participation in advocacy.

Engages in advocacy by collaborating with state agencies, testifying at public hearings, and contributing to legislative and regulatory changes to improve perinatal care access and quality. Activities include advocating for the Midwifery Act, expanded PCAP eligibility, protections against early postpartum discharge, and inclusion of PCAP standards in Medicaid Managed Care Legislation, successfully enacted in 1996.

Presents the Maternal & Infant Health Advocacy Award and the L. Stanley James Award to individuals who have made exceptional contributions to maternal, infant, or reproductive health in New York State.

Operates a statewide network of health and human service professionals, organizations, and advocates to improve perinatal care. Facilitates member-led committees that develop recommendations for the Board of Directors and support knowledge sharing and coordination across the perinatal health field in New York State.

Organizes and hosts an annual educational conference for perinatal health professionals and consumers, featuring keynote speakers, pre-conference sessions, and continuing medical education credits. The 2024 conference achieved 99% participant satisfaction with content and 96% reported intent to change practice, and the 2026 conference is scheduled for June 11-12 in Albany, NY.

Supports the development of perinatal care infrastructure, including facilitating the establishment of the first two Regional Perinatal Centers in Central New York and New York City through grant funding, and expanding perinatal support services in underserved regions, reaching thousands of families in 2024.

Amplifies reproductive justice narratives by supporting creators, hosting the Mama Glow Film Festival, organizing film screenings and art exhibitions, and producing artistic media for social distribution to raise maternal health awareness.

Provides expert consultation to teaching hospitals and healthcare organizations to develop anti-racism strategies and implicit bias training programs aimed at improving equity in maternal care.

Generates employment opportunities for doulas, doula mentors, reproductive health educators, healers, and mental health counselors through partnerships, promoting sustainable careers in maternal health.

Offers foundational and advanced doula training globally, including the Mama Glow Doula Immersion Level 1 Weekend in Brooklyn, and supports educational advancement for midwives through structured training curricula.