Staff Reflections on Black Maternal Health Week: Resilience and Liberation
This week The Breastfeeding Center commemorates and sends love and support to the Black Maternal Health Week’s Campaign. We stand with Black Mothers and aim to amplify the voice and bring attention to the issues that these women and their families are facing. The past week has been quoted as a week of “ reflection, rejuvenation, liberations, and resilience.” We would be remiss if we do not acknowledge the utmost care and health equity should extend to all parents. Hear from staff as we reflect on the week and its meaning in our lives and work.
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Black Maternal Health is important for millions and it is vital to the survival of black families. This week in particular is recognized for the thousands of black mothers that have been marginalized in healthcare both nationally and internationally. My earliest exposure in healthcare focused in support of black and brown families and those underserved in communities across the DMV. I am grateful to support my community, to consider every individual, every birth, every family that I can. I am so proud to have been a part of a team of birth champions in black maternal health in the District of Colombia. Grateful for my midwives, mentors, and the Families of Color group that I've had the privilege to moderate at the Breastfeeding Center for Greater Washington. Truth be told I have learned more from those folks than they know.
-TINA PANGELINAN, IBCLC (SHE/HER/HERS)
Black Maternal Health Week has been a mixed bag of emotions for me this week. While we honor and bring awareness to the importance of why we have this week, it is not lost on me the loss our community is feeling with the recent news of police brutality. For me the work of lactation support has always been deep ministry. The benefits of breastmilk are innumerable, and the honor to breast/chest/body feed was something that was taken from a lot of people of color due to slavery, poverty, and. targeted marketing from formula companies. It is my job to honor the legacy, silence the incorrect messaging, and support families who are doing their best to give their babies the best start possible.
