Championing Equitable Healthcare: Ways You Can Make a Difference
As we delve into Women’s History Month, celebrating “Women Who Advocate for Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion,” and approach International Women's Day on March 8, themed “Invest in Women: Accelerate Progress,” Sweet Bee Services finds itself at the intersection of advocating for equity in reproductive care and championing the cause for Black women-owned businesses. This makes it an especially significant month for me and my team.
Perhaps this month, you're seeking opportunities to invest in organizations that are working to advance women’s thriving and promote diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) in women’s healthcare. If so, I’m here to provide some key ways you can partner with me and other advocates working toward healthcare equity, from leveraging your voice to directing your financial support.
Political advocacy: Use your voice and mobilize others
While many of us fulfill our civic duty by voting for public servants who represent our social priorities in various arenas such as education, civil rights, and tax policy, women’s health issues often get overlooked in the complex decision-making process. It's crucial to thoroughly examine where public servant hopefuls stand on reproductive care and systems that support the full spectrum of the motherhood journey, from reproductive care to parental leave.
Spread awareness: Educate about reproductive health access and its role in gender equality
In our society, women’s health has been historically under-researched and under-prioritized, making it challenging to identify where our existing structures fail to serve gender equality. It’s imperative to critically analyze how things can improve and use our voices to mobilize our communities for change. Continuously advocating for issues such as standardizing expanded family leave, providing coverage doula support, institutionalizing menstrual support, and making work environments more accommodating for women is essential. Calling your insurers and policymakers to ensure these services are covered is an effective way to advocate for healthcare access for yourself and others.
Decentralize your healthcare: Research and use providers who value social justice
Many doulas work in the reproductive world alongside other important functions to support patients and advocate for reproductive justice. As a healthcare consumer, we rely on you to research and collaborate with providers on the ground, such as doulas and other essential practitioners whose values for reproductive justice are at the core of their daily work. Opting to pay for services from such practitioners not only allows you to receive care that aligns with your values but also expands our capacity to positively impact our communities. Choosing companies like Sweet Bee Services, which are BIPOC-owned, employ BIPOC personnel, and promote equitable access to marginalized communities, is a direct investment in this ecosystem.
“My determination to provide life-preserving support to families during this vulnerable timeframe birthed Salama Wellness, the very first Black-owned, postnatal wellness center in the DMV.”
Leah Hairston, Co-Founder
Support Salama Wellness Postpartum Center and partner with me to end maternal mortality:
My drive for founding Sweet Bee Services was to address maternal mortality through the power of trauma-informed, wrap-around doula services. So far, my team and I have defied statistics by aiding over 140 births with no losses of new mothers. Moreover, we’ve seen a tremendous increase in confidence among our clients navigating their birth experiences. However, I still see a missed opportunity to provide care during postpartum. According to the CDC, new mothers remain vulnerable to pregnancy-related deaths during postpartum – 25 percent of these deaths occur on the day of birth or within one week after and 53 percent occur between seven days to a year after birth.
My determination to provide life-preserving support to families during this vulnerable timeframe birthed Salama Wellness, the very first Black-owned, postnatal wellness center in the DMV. As we work to establish this holistic postpartum care facility, complete with educational classes, parenting workshops, breastfeeding consultations, and more, we invite you to partner with us!
Contact us for more information: hello@salamawellness.
