The Access and Equity Committee is a new MANA initiative to address systemic issues impacting midwifery and those seeking midwifery care. "Access" and "equity" are both words that capture the essence of this work: access = the right or opportunity to use or benefit from something; equity = the quality of being fair and impartial. As a midwife, you know that the right or opportunity to use or benefit from midwifery has not been fair or impartial. This is true for many, layered reasons:

Are you following Sherry Payne's Walk for Black Infant Mortality Awareness? She's walking across the state of Missouri to "bring attention to the invisible epidemic of African-American infant mortality - babies dying prior to their first birthday." We connected with Sherry before the walk began to learn more about her path to midwifery, her projects at Uzazi Village, and how we can all support the walk. You can also hear her speak at the upcoming MANA convention.

Opportunities to make change year round

During the month of February, MANA has been highlighting birth workers of color and their role in improving outcomes for mothers and babies.

Although Black History Month ends this week, the impacts of health disparities in the U.S. continue year round.

MANA would like to bring attention to one national effort to create health equity: scholarships for birth workers of color.

Celebrating Black History Month