Hello Birth Justice Warriors and Advocates!
October 31, 2019
Birth Justice Warriors in the Community:
The Birth Justice Warriors and our partners have had a busy few months in the community. Below is a sampling of some of the events we have participated in.

• New York State Department of Health Listening Sessions: On September 7, 10 and 11 the Birth Justice Warriors co-sponsored three listening sessions for the New York State Department of Health with the Nurse Family Partnership program (VNS), Planned Parenthood NC, Good Beginnings for Babies, BOCES and others, to get feedback on the needs of families with children under age 5. Sessions were held in Uniondale, Westbury and Hempstead with feedback from over 55 participants. The responses are being written up in a report to the New York State Department of Health and Birth Justice Warriors will be able to use the data for programming and advocacy purposes.

• Conversation Cafes: Conversation Cafes have begun! Our inaugural Conversation Cafes are a safe space for black and brown mothers and families to learn about the statistics, advocacy and their rights as birthing people and partners. So far we’ve had Conversation Cafes in Uniondale and Roosevelt Public Libraries. If you would like a Conversation Cafe in your community contact Birth Justice Warriors coordinator Te-Ana.

• LIJ Hospital Presentation: The Birth Justice Warriors presented an in-service talk on infant and maternal mortality in Nassau County to OB/GYN clinical staff at LIJ Hospital on September 18th. We have been invited back by the chair of the department to present at their upcoming Morbidity and Mortality rounds.

• Decolonizing Birth Conference: On September 22nd, Britney Nathan, Danielle Howell, Te-Ana Souffrant and Martine Hackett presented at Ancient Song Doula’s 4th Annual Decolonizing Birth conference in Brooklyn. The session which focused on the work of the Birth Justice Warriors and the data on Black maternal and infant mortality on Long Island, was well attended with lots of interest being shown to our work.

• Media Spotlight: An article based on interviews with Birth Justice Warriors Sharelle Allen, Te-Ana Souffrant and Martine Hackett focusing on structural racism and birth outcomes was published in the Long Island Herald. For full article click here.

• Birth Justice Friendly Designation: In conjunction with the prenatal clinic at Planned Parenthood Nassau County and Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/Northwell medical student, Danielle Howell, a “Birth Justice Friendly” designation is in progress for culturally appropriate and respectful care.

LOOKING AHEAD…
• On November 15, Martine Hackett will be a keynote speaker at the Suffolk County Department of Health Services Office of Minority Health’s 14th Annual Health Disparities Conference, “The Health of Women, Infants and Children… Reflects the Health of a Nation”- A Look at Maternal and Child Health Outcomes. Register here! Deadline is November 8.

•The Birth Justice Warriors have been accepted to present at the Society of Public Health Educators (SOPHE) Conference in Atlanta, GA, in March 2020! Stay tuned for updates.

• The Birth Justice Warriors Listening Station is now live! If you would like to have your story recorded or know someone who would, contact us via our website.

Spread the word!
Our fabulous logo is an award winner created by Jim Wagner of Certainly Studio in NYC
The Birth Equity Nassau Newsletter is written by Tari Ajeh, MPH and edited by Martine Hackett, PhD, MPH.