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Maternal Justice

Take Action!
Tell President Biden to take Executive Action to Abolish the Federal Death Penalty

Maternal Mortality Crisis 

The United States has the worst maternal death rates of any developed country. Black women are three to four times more likely to die from pregnancy complications than white women, independent of age, parity or education. Every year in this country, 700 - 900 women die from pregnancy or childbirth-related causes, and some 65,000 suffer severe complications.  The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that 60 percent of maternal deaths in this country are preventable. And, according to the World Health Organization, we are the ONLY industrialized nation in the world where maternal deaths are rising, not falling.

Our team continues to work hard to make maternal mortality, and specifically the crisis in Black maternal health a key issue for leaders on the local, state, and national levels. Check out our factsheet to learn more about why we must address maternal mortality and morbidity in the United States.

Visit here for monthly Maternal Justice Legislative & Policy Updates!

Our Wins

Congress passed the Preventing Maternal Deaths Act, in December of 2018. This was an incredible, powerful and groundbreaking win for pregnant women and moms throughout our country! And it happened because of our incredible MomsRising members.

Standing Up for Maternal Health at Mom Congress 2019

On Twitter? Please join us for our monthly #MaternalJustice Twitter chats, last Monday of every month at 8-9pm ET. Search and follow the hashtag #MaternalJustice on Twitter for information and discussion.

Being pregnant and going into labor were the scariest moments of my life. And it wasn’t because I didn’t know what to expect, or because I had watched too many movie deliveries. I was terrified because I knew, that despite living in America, one of the richest countries in the world - that it was...Read more
Lashonda, NY

Blog posts

"Raising Anti-Racist Kids with Tabitha St. Bernard-Jacobs" credit: Romper
Gun Safety Maternal Justice Politics & Policy Social & Emotional Development

We're Raising Future Grownups — We Have To Talk To Our Kids About Police Killings

05/04/21
The past few weeks have been wrought with the type of pain that sits heavy in my body, existing and spanning into all areas of my life. It’s a pain that many Black, Brown and Indigenous people live with. It’s a pain that many mothers live with. I listened to Daunte Wright’s mother recount the...
MomsRising Education Fund
Tabitha St. Bernard-Jacobs's picture
Tabitha St. Bernard-Jacobs
Breastfeeding Childcare & Early Education Maternal Justice Paid Family Leave

How friends, family, teachers and other caregivers can support new mothers

05/03/21
Developed by Lina Acosta Sandaal, MA, LMFT MomsRising consultant and expert in child and adolescent development and infant and early childhood mental health Perinatal and postpartum disorders are extremely common in women during pregnancy and after they give birth. While there is information out...
MomsRising Education Fund
Tina Sherman's picture
Tina Sherman
Black Mothers In Power’s Start in 2019 (by BMIP)
Health Care Maternal Justice

Black Mothers in Power: Pursuing Birth Justice in Delaware

04/21/21
Our society works hard to limit Black potential across all layers, with our school-to-prison pipelines, routine murders of Black people by “law and order” officers, and negligent or actively harmful medical care. But the assault on Black lives starts before a Black baby is even born. This is the backdrop for Black Mothers in Power (BMIP) to enter the scene in Delaware. BMIP recognizes that Black women and birthing persons are uniquely vulnerable in childbirth within the U.S.’s current medical system. Their mission is to end this disparity.
MomsRising Education Fund
Rae Krantz's picture
Rae Krantz
End gun violence
Families & The Federal Budget Gun Safety Health Care

Top #5Actions of the Past Week: Friday, March 19, 2021

03/19/21
This week has been tough. The Atlanta shooting that resulted in the death of eight people -- including six Asian American women -- again proves that Americans can no longer wait for action against gun violence and hate. We stand against Anti-Asian hate and for gun control. The time for action is...
MomsRising Together
Sue Anne Reed's picture
Sue Anne Reed
CRUEL & INHUMANE - The Death Penalty
Politics & Policy Social & Emotional Development

Top 5 Justice Actions: Friday, February 19, 2021

02/18/21
As we all come down from our sweet sugar highs of another passing Valentine's Day we at MomsRising are uplifting sentiments of love as we continue to fight for moms, parents and families during these uncertain times. This week we are inviting MomsRising members across the country to join us in...
MomsRising Education Fund
Beatriz Beckford's picture
Beatriz Beckford
Pregnant Woman Getting Vaccinated
Breastfeeding Health Care Maternal Justice Politics & Policy

COVID Vaccines Should Not be Withheld from Pregnant Women

12/10/20
Women have spent decades fighting for equal rights. We have made significant strides in many arenas, enacting a variety of social, political, and economic reforms. But one notable exception is the receipt of evidence-based care during pregnancy, when women and their providers are often left in the...
MomsRising Education Fund
SMFM's picture
Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine

Take Action

Tell President Biden to take Executive Action to Abolish the Federal Death Penalty

<a href="https://action.momsrising.org/cms/view_by_page_id/15228/?source=action">Tell President Biden to take Executive Action to Abolish the Federal Death Penalty</a>

The death penalty is as cruel as it is ineffective in deterring crime. Revenge is not justice and murder for murder does not provide healing to families or society as a whole.

Take Action!
Tell President Biden to take Executive Action to Abolish the Federal Death Penalty

End HYDE, Reproductive Justice for All!

<a href="https://action.momsrising.org/cms/view_by_page_id/11829/?source=action">End HYDE, Reproductive Justice for All!</a>

Women’s reproductive rights are under attack — now more than ever.

Take Action!
End HYDE, Reproductive Justice for All!

We must stand up for pregnant immigrant moms!

<a href="https://action.momsrising.org/cms/view_by_page_id/8073/?source=action">We must stand up for pregnant immigrant moms!</a>
Take Action!
We must stand up for pregnant immigrant moms!

Protect Our Reproductive Health: Share Your Story!

Your voice can make a difference in the fight to protect our rights to reproductive health and freedom! People with direct experiences with abortion are the most powerful voices we have to help cut through the political rhetoric and get down to why it's important to protect reproductive health and freedom.

Have you or someone you love needed abortion services? Tell us your story!

Take Action!
Protect Our Reproductive Health: Share Your Story!

Campaign team