Syreeta Gordon of Kangaroo Birthing & Maternity Concierge dreams of a Black birthing or postpartum recovery center in Pittsburgh. But she says that in order for the support systems to be built, locals need to understand exactly what people of color go through here. According to the 2019 Pittsburgh Gender Equity Commission study, Black women's maternal mortality is higher in Pittsburgh than 97 percent of similar cities.
That’s why Gordon is committed to sharing the stories of moms, midwives, and doulas through a new documentary, “Her Dreams: A Story of The Future of Black Birth.”
“I want people to be drawn to action. I have to do something about this. It’s like we’re in a third-world country,” Gordon says.
The documentary raises funds for maternal health workers, birth workers, continuing education, aspiring doulas, and midwives. It premiered at Kelly Strayhorn Theater this month; stay tuned for additional screening dates.
Proposals To Watch For
- PA Momnibus Act, introduced in March by the Pennsylvania Black Maternal Health Caucus, is a legislative package of eight bills that would require coverage for doula services and blood pressure monitors, mandate ongoing implicit bias training, and establish the Maternal and Newborn Supply Kit program.
- PA CROWN Act stands for Creating a Respectful and Open World for Natural Hair and seeks to end race-based hair discrimination.
➡️ You can contact your representative to make your voice heard.
Mark the Week
- May 30-31: Igniting Systems Change, an educational symposium at the Wyndham Pittsburgh University Center
- June 1: Black Birth Expo at the August Wilson African American Cultural Center
Organizations & Resources
- Black Women’s Policy Center uplifts Black voices and advocates for systemic changes at the intersectionality of gender and race
- Healthy Start supports Allegheny and Westmoreland County families and communities through community programming, advocacy, research, and training — like the Allegheny County BIRTH Plan
- New Voices is a reproductive justice organization supporting Black women, Black queer folks, and other marginalized people through leadership development, community care, resources, and mutual aid
- Forward Wellness Counseling offers reproductive mental health care
- Pittsburgh Black Breastfeeding Circle provides peer support meetups
- DAWA offers a community nutrition program
- Pittsburgh Brown Mamas amplifies the voices of Black moms while creating programs to connect them to their communities
- Elephant Song provides doula care and childbirth education for Black families
- The Midwife Center is Western PA's first and only licensed, freestanding birth center
- The Allegheny Health Department offers home visiting nurse services
- Form and Function offers pelvic floor support before and after birth
- Maya Organization supports and empowers marginalized pregnant, postpartum, and incarcerated birthing people
