More than two years after the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade, allowing restrictive abortion laws to take effect across states, a national activist organization is focusing on expanding maternal health care access in several states, including Kentucky.
SisterSong, headquartered in Atlanta, is funding comprehensive doula and mental health services for new and expectant mothers in Kentucky. The organization emphasized the increasing need for support since 2022.
“I think Kentucky has a lot of work to do,” stated Deputy Director Leah Jones. “The need exists regardless of race.”
Since Kentucky implemented strict abortion restrictions, SisterSong’s Birth Justice Care Fund has intensified its efforts, particularly in supporting people of color. The Fund, operational since the pandemic, prioritizes basic necessities such as diapers, wipes, car seats, and strollers.
“We see it as a community space where people can feel acknowledged and listened to,” explained Jones during a tour of SisterSong’s Louisville facility with WHAS11.
Shanice Nelson, founder of Anchored Beginnings Lactation Support, collaborates with SisterSong to educate and support women on breastfeeding techniques. Nelson emphasized the crucial role of in-person education, especially for teenagers facing unique challenges.
“They often face judgment for being young mothers, which makes it harder to ask for help,” noted Nelson. “In terms of resources, we’re lagging behind larger cities.”
In April, bipartisan state lawmakers passed a bill aimed at reducing Kentucky’s maternal mortality rates. The legislation includes certifying pregnancy as a qualifying life event for health insurance coverage and establishing a hotline for mental health services.
“We wanted to ensure lasting support for mothers by codifying these measures,” said Kentucky Rep. Kimberly Poore Moser (R-Taylor Mill) during committee hearings in February 2024.
