Adams Releases Black Maternal Health Week Advocacy Kit

Press Release

This week, Congresswoman Alma Adams (NC-12) released a Black Maternal Health Week advocacy kit for individuals and organizations. Black Maternal Health Week is observed April 11-17.

The kit includes materials on Black Maternal Health Week, the Black Maternal Health Momnibus legislation being introduced at both the federal and state levels, as well as the ongoing Black maternal health crisis that has been exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic.

The kit can be accessed and downloaded here.

"This week we are lifting up the voices of Black women who are doing the critical work of eliminating maternal health disparities and creating a world where maternal justice and equality are a reality," said Congresswoman Adams, co-chair of the Black Maternal Health Caucus. "In 2018, I was honored to introduce the first Congressional resolution recognizing Black Maternal Health Week with then-Senator Kamala Harris. In 2019, I asked the youngest Black woman elected to Congress, Lauren Underwood, if she wanted to launch a Congressional Caucus focused on Black maternal health. So, we launched the Black Maternal Health Caucus, which now boasts 115 bipartisan Members of Congress. In 2020, we introduced the Black Maternal Health Momnibus Act -- a package of 9 bills to comprehensively address existing gaps in policy solutions to the maternal health crisis. The bill was crafted with Black women, by Black women and for Black women. This year, we re-introduced the Momnibus, and I'm so excited about passing it into law this Congress. Black mamas can't wait."

Congresswoman Alma S. Adams, Ph.D. is serving her fourth full term in Congress. She represents the 12th District of North Carolina, which includes parts of Charlotte and Mecklenburg County. In 2018, she introduced the first Black Maternal Health Week resolution with then-Senator Kamala Harris. In 2019, she co-founded the Black Maternal Health Caucus with Rep. Lauren Underwood (IL-14). In March 2020, Adams, along with Harris and Underwood, introduced the Black Maternal Health Momnibus Act for the first time, and in February 2021 reintroduced an expanded version of the package with Senator Cory Booker. Adams is a mother of two and a grandmother of four.

Source