Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc. Pushes for Black Maternal Health
On September 20, 2023, members of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc. (ZPB) will be actively championing the Black Maternal Health "Momnibus" Act on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C.
This proposed legislation addresses the critical issue of healthcare disparities affecting African American women.
Dottery Butler Washington, the International Co-Director of Social Action for Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc., emphasized the urgency of the matter, stating, "Black women are losing their lives due to a lack of serious consideration from medical professionals. As black women, we are reclaiming our agency, educating ourselves, and guiding doctors in understanding how to appropriately treat our conditions and bodies."
This event holds immense significance, marking ZPB's first in-person gathering in five years due to COVID-19 restrictions. This annual "Zeta Day" event will see ZPB members uniting to lend their support to the Momnibus Act, aligning with Zeta Phi Beta's overarching mission to advance global well-being.
This year's event is poised to create a historic moment for ZPB, bringing together a delegation of over 1,100 members—the largest such assembly in the organization's history.
Dr. Stacie NC Grant, the International President & CEO of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc., expressed strong sentiments about the dire state of maternal mortality in the United States, particularly its impact on African American women. "The United States' staggering maternal mortality rate, the highest among high-income countries, is unacceptable. Despite years of discourse, the crisis remains unabated," Dr. Grant remarked. She affirmed the organization's full support for the Black Maternal Health Momnibus Act, highlighting its potential to take concrete action and investment to address the root causes of maternal mortality, morbidity, and disparities in the nation.
The momentum continues as Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc. and Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc. are set to host a panel titled "Politics, Policy and Reproductive Justice" during the Congressional Black Caucus Annual Legislative Conference on September 21st. This anticipated event offers a platform for Zeta Phi Beta to amplify their health justice advocacy efforts, facilitating a comprehensive discussion open to all conference attendees.
