Black Lives Matter.
Mothers are dying 

I write to you today as a mother, an advocate and as the founder of the Maternal Mental Health Leadership Alliance in Washington D.C. 

As the world watches our country face a pandemic in the face of structural racism, I want to also highlight another barrier that indigenous, black and brown families are facing= escalating maternal mortality.

Black and brown women in America die three to four times higher rates than white women during delivery and the postpartum period. 

I want to tell you about Miriam Carey and Kira Johnson. 

On the morning of October 3, 2013 Miriam Carey was shot dead by the Capitol Police with her 1 year old in the front seat.  Miriam Carey was suffering from postpartum psychosis and thought that President Obama was trying to hurt her.  She drove through a police barricade at the White House. Miriam was shot 5 times in the back of the head. 

On April 12, 2016 Kira Johnson gave birth to their 2nd son, Langston, via cesarean delivery.  She immediately showed signs that her body was in distress.  It took 10 hours for hospital staff to take any meaningful action, to find out that her bladder had been lacerated during the procedure. Kira died that night.

Again, black and brown women in America die three to four times higher rates than white women during delivery and the postpartum period.  

These mothers lost their lives. We cannot say we did everything we could. We need Maternal Justice in America for our black, brown and indigenous mothers and women. 

Please consider donating to the Perinatal Health Alliance of People of Color or 4 Kira 4 Moms

I am listening. I will be an ally.  I will act.

I will be honored to serve you in Congress.

Thank you, 
Jamie