Black mothers rights nonprofit lobbies Michigan Legislature on parental health

About 50 Black people representing a Detroit-based civil rights organization Wednesday lobbied the Michigan Legislature on issues affecting parents in connection with a pending U.S. Supreme Court opinion that could roll back abortion rights in the U.S.

“Today is to let the Michigan Legislature know that moms of color, primarily Black mothers, need a seat at the table when these laws are being made,” said Tish Barnes, national campaign director for Mothering Justice.

Mothering Justice is a Detroit-based organization for securing legal and health protection for Black parents.

Politico released a leaked draft opinion in May, written by Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito, that suggests the court is likely to overturn the 1973 Roe v. Wade decision that guarantees a woman's right to an abortion.

After the leak, protests flooded Lansing, and the country. Wednesday'sWomxn v Wade rally sought to shine a light on how Black parents are affected, with many noting that overturning Roe could have detrimental effects on a variety of child care and health issues that affect Black women.

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Barnes said should the leaked court opinion become official, the state will be left to determine what right women have to abortions. Michigan currently has a 1930s law on the books that would outlaw the procedure. Gov. Gretchen Whitmer recently sued to block the law from taking effect.

For Black parents, abortion and parenting are multi-faceted issues.

"We have paid leave access. Mothers have to choose between earning an income or caring for a sick child or themselves. We have child care deserts in Michigan that we're talking about; reproductive justice and maternal health, including the use of doulas,” Barnes said.

She and others are pushing for the Legislature to extend coverage for alternative birthing practices and secure income for parents.

"We want justice for paid time off. We want justice for affordable child care. We want justice for women's and black women's reproductive rights," said Trishe Duckworth, founder of Survivors Speak.

Group lobbies on parental leave, reproductive justice

Danielle Atkinson, founder of Mothering Justice, led rallygoers inside the state Capitol, House and Senate buildings for "legislative drop-ins" Wednesday.

The group has an established set of lobbyists who met with Reps. Erika Geiss, D-Taylor, and Kyra Bolden, D-Southfield, and Lt. Gov. Garlin Gilchrist to seek stronger legislation on paid parental leave, expanded Medicare coverage for doulas and to make child care facilities more affordable and safe.

She said she and her husband are forced to use money intended for their children's higher education, for day care.

"So we see child care costs and child care affordability as a public good," Atkinson said.

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She said she hopes lawmakers don't use their demands for campaign fodder.

Gilchrist said the state is looking at a variety of options to get more money in people's pockets. He pointed to the $400 rebate Michigan auto insurance policy holders received per insured car from a fund surplus, and Whitmer's proposal to issue $500 rebate checks to working families.

He didn't speak to whether or not the state is researching implementing its own child care tax credit, similar to what the federal government had.

But what about that Supreme Court leak?

A number of speakers at the rally spoke about the court's imminent decision on the Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization case, which could be used to overturn Roe.

Nicole Wells Stallworth, newly named executive director of Planned Parenthood Advocates of Michigan, said when she became a mother, she had to advocate for her child to receive equitable education, navigate health insurance and to afford basic needs.

"Those issues are so intersectional with access to sexual and reproductive health care, and that the ability to make your own life decisions about your body and your life circumstances," Stallworth said.

She worried the loss of constitutional protection could result in losses of sexual and reproductive health care.

"This is about being able to choose your own life outcomes and your own life trajectory without the interference from politicians, systems and government," she said.

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Contact reporter Krystal Nurse at (517) 267-1344 or knurse@lsj.com. Follow her on Twitter @KrystalRNurse.

This article originally appeared on Lansing State Journal: Mothering Justice met with legislators on reproductive, child care issues