This week, I speak with representatives from SisterSong, a nonprofit organization in our state that works and advocates for indigenous and women of color. These are the women in our community who face horrible statistics due to healthcare biases and disparities. These women have to fight for their lives when they give birth. People who are making laws about women and their bodies often have no understanding of how women’s bodies work. Additionally, the Republican Party’s desire to cut funding for Medicare and Medicaid will adversely impact the women in our communities.
Leah Jones, the Director of Maternal Health and Birth Equity, speaks with us about HB411, which didn’t pass in this legislative session. Black women die at a higher rate when giving birth for no scientific reason. It is due mainly to racism in our healthcare system. Even though HB411 didn’t pass Senate Bill 36, also known as the Religious Freedom Restoration Act (RFRA), into law which will also wreak havoc on access to healthcare, especially for women in our community.
Jones speaks about SisterSong being a collective that is currently operating in several states, including North Carolina, Florida, and Virginia. This grassroots approach includes Advocacy, Education and a Cultural Shift around reproduction.
Jones explains that women must be extremely vocal and speak to their local, state, and federal representatives. The legislative session in Georgia is over, but your representatives are still working, and now is a good time to meet with them. She asks that when meeting with legislators, tell them what you don’t want, but also explain to them what you do want.
SisterSong launched a Birth Justice Care Fund, which provides pregnant women with access to Doulas, Patient Support, and Maternal Mental Health.
Danielle Rodriguez, the Georgia State Coordinator for SisterSong, speaks with us about cuts to Medicare and Medicaid and shares how this will impact Black, Brown, and Indigenous women, especially those living in rural areas.
For more information on SisterSong
To Donate to the Birth Justice Care Fund