During Black Maternal Health Week, BEJMA was proud to stand alongside our valued partner, the Bay State Birth Coalition, and more than 100 advocates from across Massachusetts for a powerful day of advocacy at the Massachusetts State House.

Organized by the Bay State Birth Coalition in partnership with leading maternal health organizations, the convening united midwives, birth workers, healthcare professionals, community advocates, researchers, and families around a shared goal: expanding access to equitable, community-based maternity care for every family in the Commonwealth.

The day featured inspiring remarks from legislative champions Senator Liz Miranda, Representative Marjorie Decker, and Representative Manny Cruz, as well as maternal health leaders, including Dr. Ndidiamaka Amutah-Onukagha of BEJMA. Advocates also heard from practicing midwives and received advocacy training from Emily Anesta before meeting directly with legislators to discuss policies that support birth equity.

Together, advocates urged lawmakers to support legislation and budget priorities that would:

Strengthen and sustain the midwifery workforce.
Expand access to freestanding birth centers and community birth options.
Increase access to nurse-midwifery services across Massachusetts.
Invest in midwifery education and workforce development.
Support perinatal mental health services and continued implementation of the 2024 maternal health law.

For BEJMA, this work reflects our core mission: ensuring that families have access to safe, respectful, culturally responsive care and the full spectrum of birth options. Expanding access to midwifery care and birth centers is not simply about increasing choices. It is about improving maternal health outcomes, reducing disparities, and creating a healthcare system that listens to and supports families.

We are grateful to the Bay State Birth Coalition for its leadership in organizing this important day of advocacy and to every organization, legislator, and advocate who lent their voice to this effort. Meaningful systems change happens when coalitions come together with a shared vision, and this convening demonstrated the strength of our collective movement.

To learn more about Bay State Birth Coalition, checkout their website: https://baystatebirth.org/