Honoring Maternal Mental Health Month with Autonomy is My Joy!
This Maternal Mental Health Month, let's come together to amplify and celebrate autonomy and our Autonomy is My Joy (AIMJ) campaign.
This Maternal Mental Health Month, let's come together to amplify and celebrate autonomy and our Autonomy is My Joy (AIMJ) campaign. It's a critical time to reflect on the challenges faced by many parents due to systems of oppression like medical racism, poverty, and restrictive policies, which especially impact Black, Indigenous, and people of color communities.
As an artist-led social justice organization, we know firsthand that artwork’s true meanings only deepen with time. Over the past year, we've witnessed a concerning rise in harmful reproductive health legislation that directly threatens the safety and physical and mental well-being of pregnant people. Recent rulings in states like Alabama, which restrict IVF access, alongside abortion restrictions like Arizona’s near-total ban, highlight the urgent need to address the crisis of policies endangering maternal health. Given the rise of maternal mortality in the United States - which disproportionately impacts Black parents - forced birth can be life-threatening. To support the wellness of pregnant people and recent parents, we must ensure that communities have access to all prenatal and postpartum care.
The Autonomy is My Joy campaign tackles crucial issues such as maternal mortality, abortion rights, doula care, and reproductive freedom. We amplify the voices of Black mothers, birth workers, and reproductive justice advocates through powerful narrative creative work that mobilizes and inspires action toward passing critical Maternal Health legislation.
As these challenges grow, so does the reproductive justice movement. This year, The Cultural Engagement Lab continues to advocate for the passage of the Black Maternal Health Momnibus Act, a collection of 13 bills designed to address maternal mortality rates, morbidity, and health disparities in the U.S. Alongside our movement partner, We Inspire Justice, we produced a series of five PSA videos titled “Autonomy Is My Joy” that amplify the voices of Black mothers, birthworkers, and reproductive health advocates in alignment.
Discover the insights and impact of our campaign in our detailed 2023 AIMJ Impact Report, which delves into the data and stories that fuel our advocacy for improved maternal health outcomes.
📢 Take action: Visit Moms Rising's website and urge Congress to pass the Mombinbus Black Maternal Health Act.
🔗 Spread the word: Check out the Autonomy Is My Joy Digital Toolkit, which includes campaign videos, links, and suggested captions for sharing on social media.
🌱Looking Ahead: As we continue to center reproductive rights in our campaigns, we'll provide updates, resources, and more opportunities for collaboration. Let's stand together for reproductive justice and maternal health. Together, we can create meaningful change for all families!
Learn more about our incredible campaign partners advocating for Reproductive Health, Rights, and Justice:
Dr. Shalon’s Maternal Action Project
Mothers for Postpartum Justice Project
Tatia Oden French Memorial Foundation
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