Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Month is observed in October. It serves as a poignant reminder of the heartache many families face due to pregnancy loss, stillbirth, and the death of an infant before their first birthday. Everyone deserves to experience a healthy pregnancy and birth and care for a healthy baby. Unfortunately, not all […]
Continue ReadingWhat is Reproductive Justice?
Reproductive Justice
Since the overturning of Roe v Wade in 2022 and the upcoming election sparking discussions surrounding the future of bodily autonomy in the United States, the terms “Reproductive Justice” and “Reproductive Rights” have been used a lot in traditional media, social media, and in conversations with other people. Many may believe that these two terms […]
Continue ReadingBlack Maternal Health Week
Reproductive Justice
EverThrive Illinois is participating in Black Maternal Health Week, founded by the Black Mamas Matter Alliance! This week-long campaign runs from April 11 – 17 and was created to amplify the voices of Black birthing people and raise awareness around their experiences. This year’s Black Maternal Health Week theme is “Our Bodies Belong to Us: […]
Continue ReadingHonoring Reproductive Justice
Reproductive Justice
In 1994, a group of 12 brilliant Black women (Dr. Toni M. Bond Leonard, Reverend Alma Crawford, Evelyn S. Field, Terri James, Bisola Marignay, Cassandra McConnell, Cynthia Newbille, Lorretta Ross, Elizabeth Terry, ‘Able’ Mable Thomas, Winnette P. Willis, and Kim Youngblood), gathered in Chicago to respond to a problematic proposal on health care reform. They […]
Continue ReadingInfertility is a Reproductive Justice Issue
Reproductive Justice
EverThrive Illinois has spent over 30 years working to improve the lives of pregnant people, children, and families in Illinois by ensuring that all people have access to quality affordable health care. As part of our mission and vision for Illinois, we believe every family should have the right to choose if, when, and how they will have children. However, infertility and challenges accessing fertility treatment have created barriers for many […]
Continue ReadingBirth Justice for Black Birthing Parents
Reproductive Justice
After decades of decline, maternal mortality in the U.S. and in Illinois has worsened since 2000 and not all pregnant people are equally at risk. Black pregnant and postpartum women die at six times the rate of white women in Illinois. Women on Medicaid during their pregnancy face almost five times the risk of pregnancy-related death that women with private insurance experience. But to call this phenomenon a maternal mortality “crisis” only captures some of the […]
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