Moms Move Ohio Forward: A Mother’s Day Call to Action

By Marti Ridley, Digital Communications Director

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Mom. Mama. Mommy. Bruh. Queen. The title for the hardest and most rewarding role I’ve ever had in my life. The pay is terrible, but the joy is priceless.

Seventeen years ago, as a newly pregnant unwed college student, I was not aware of the crisis of racial and health inequity in Ohio which mirrors that of the nation. In health care settings, Black women often encounter significant barriers accessing prenatal and postpartum care, lack access to culturally competent care and comprehensive screenings, and face a greater likelihood of poorer quality care than white women. What I was aware of, was how alone and uncertain I felt in trying to figure out what was best for my baby and me and where I could find resources for our soon-to-be needs.

Fifteen years ago, as an expectant mother of two children under age three, I had no understanding of statistics about having young children in the household increasing the likelihood of living in poverty four-fold. What I did understand was that my humble earnings suddenly weren’t enough to provide food for all of us, and I had to constantly make choices about what to prioritize. Gas in my car to get to work or a pound of ground beef and three potatoes?

Last year, as a newly divorced mother of two teenagers, I had no idea of the heaviness of the emotional and mental load mothers carry endlessly. Mental health quickly became a priority for my new household and I learned to lean in the places I was accustomed to leading. Having a network of support and access to resources has been vital to my family’s holistic health and ability to thrive.

Today, as I reflect on mothers and motherhood, I urge readers to understand that mothers are critical to the success and sustainability of families, communities and the economy. Mothers deserve to survive labor and delivery. Mothers deserve to feed their children and also have enough money to eat themselves. Mothers deserve to have access to affordable high quality child care for their children so they can pursue employment or higher education.

And, on Mother’s Day, she deserves more than thank you. For all the times you were championed by a mother in your life, maybe not your own, but a grandmother, aunt, teacher, sister, or friend—she deserves a champion now. In honor of all the mothers you care about, I invite you to join me in adding your name to one of the most impactful Mother’s Day cards ever: an open letter to our policymakers, letting them know that Ohio’s mothers deserve to thrive because in short, #MomsMoveOhioForward.

ADD YOUR NAME NOW