1 minute read
Rep. Kelly Hosts Listening Session with Black Maternal Care Providers
WASHINGTON, D.C. – On Thursday, April 13, as part of Black Maternal Health Week, Rep. Robin Kelly (IL-02) hosted a listening session with three Black maternal care providers who work with patients in the Illinois Second Congressional District.
Participants:
Advertisement
Star August Ali is a mother of four, Certified Professional Midwife, doula, and childbirth educator is the co-founder of the Black-led non-profit organization Holistic Birth Collective, based on the South Side of Chicago. Star became the first Black CPM in the State of Illinois in 2022.
Dr. Mai Heath is an artist, wife, mother to three young daughters, naturopathic doctor, birth doula, medical advocate, and wellness consultant. She is co-owner of the educational course & private birth plan consultation company Better Birth Plan. Dr. Heath is also the founding director of NDoula Community Alliance, a healing justice nonprofit organization.
Isis Rose is the Co-Founder and Executive Director of BIPOC for Better Birth, which offers free and low-cost trainings for BIPOC people who want to become doulas, midwives, lactation professionals, childbirth educators, and herbalists.
The listening session included conversations about the need for more wrap-around support during births, strengthening the continuum of care, and solutions for expecting mothers when labor & delivery units close in their communities.
Congresswoman Robin Kelly is a member of the Energy and Commerce Committee and a member of the Health Subcommittee. Rep. Kelly is also the Chair of the Congressional Black Caucus Health Braintrust, Co-Chair of the bipartisan Maternity Care Caucus, and Co-Chair of the Congressional Caucus on Black Women and Girls. Rep. Kelly’s flagship legislation, the MOMMA’S Act, provides comprehensive solutions to improve outcomes and reduce bias in maternal health care.
“I am grateful for the providers that spoke with me today and shared their stories. I will continue to reflect these lived experiences in the policies I advocate for in Congress,” said Rep. Robin Kelly (IL-02). “We cannot allow the crisis of Black maternal mortality and morbidity to go unaddressed. Moms and babies are still dying at alarming rates, and I’m committed to finding solutions and saving lives.”
