by John Reid

As Black Maternal Health Week continues, laws such as the Momnibus Act are being passed to address the crisis in maternal health, particularly with disparities in Black communities. Yesterday in Manassas at the George Mason University Prince William Campus, the VA Women and Family Support Center held their annual Maternal Health Workshop. According to their website, the purpose of the workshop was to raise awareness about maternal health crisis, educate our community on the maternal health issues, empower women to advocate for themselves. empower mothers and mothers-to-be with resources, and essential knowledge about maternal health. 

Hosting several workshops and panel discussions on solutions to solving the maternal health crisis, the event also had hands-on educational activities, breakout sessions, and providing resources. Among the panel speakers were:

• Ruth V. Alleyne, Owner of Dunamis Touch Counseling
• Jill Norcross, Exec. Director of the Northern Virginia Housing Alliance
• 20th District Delegate Michelle Maldonado
• Dr. Christina Marea, Georgetown University Associate Professor
• Christopher Shorter, Prince William County Executive
• Frances Robin, Executive Director of Virginia Women and Family Support Center

Jennifer Roberts, a community activist and founder of Conversations in the Community, spoke about her experience at the event with the PW Perspective and offered the following statement: “The VAWFSC workshop was incredible. The speakers were perfectly curated. Not only did the panels, speakers and sessions provide helpful information, they challenged participants to start or elevate their own community advocacy.”

(Special thanks to Jennifer Roberts for the photos.)