Motherhood as a Catalyst for Change

Danielle Atkinson’s journey into motherhood has not only transformed her personally but also ignited a crucial movement. As the founding executive director of Mothering Justice, Atkinson spearheads efforts during Black Maternal Health Week, a national initiative aimed at enhancing awareness and improving health outcomes for Black mothers.

“We’re not only calling for change, we’re creating it,” Atkinson states, stressing the urgent need for action against the alarming statistics revealing that Black women face higher risks of childbirth-related deaths and lower employment opportunities, all while often being the primary caregivers.

The Birth of Mothering Justice

Atkinson’s personal experiences with limited access to affordable childcare and paid maternity leave during her first pregnancy spurred her to establish Mothering Justice. What began as a local initiative to connect with other mothers has blossomed into a dynamic movement focused on mobilizing and empowering Black women.

The organization embodies Atkinson’s philosophy: “The whole goal of organizing is to organize ourselves out of a job,” advocating for a society free from inequities.

Legislative Advocacy and Grassroots Mobilization

Mothering Justice is not only fostering community but also influencing legislative change. The organization plays a key role in advocating for Michigan’s “MI Momnibus” bill, a series of legislative proposals aimed at addressing and closing racial disparities in maternal healthcare.

For Tamika Jackson, a reproductive justice organizer with Mothering Justice, this advocacy is rooted in personal trauma. Jackson recounts her harrowing birth experience before lawmakers, emphasizing the need for trauma-informed care for Black women, who are disproportionately affected by maternal health complications.

“On May 14, 2022, during what was supposed to be a routine epidural, my anesthesiologist made a mistake,” Jackson shared during her testimony. “I suffocated during labor. I coded. I was put on life support and had an emergency C-section. I survived, but just barely.”

Expanding Impact Beyond Michigan

Since its inception in 2012, Mothering Justice has broadened its reach, building diverse coalitions and advocating for policy changes that amplify the voices of Black mothers not only in Michigan but across the United States.

“We built power with Black women and Black people,” Jackson notes. “And we took that power not only to our state capitol but to our country’s capitol,” highlighting the organization’s commitment to ensuring that the concerns of Black mothers are heard at every level of government.