"No pride for some of us without liberation for all of us."

—Marsha P. Johnson

Highlight

Rita Maria Fernandes

• Vital Village Network and Boston Breastfeeding Coalition member
• Greater Boston Birth Equity Coalition Servant Leadership Team member

From Rita’s Birth Equity Coalition Bio: 

Rita Fernandes is originally from Cabo, Verde, West Africa. She is a mother to nine children, and a dedicated advocate for birth equity, equality, and justice for women of color. Rita has recently been honored with an award for her many years of breastfeeding her nine children. She has graciously taken the time to share a bit about her experience with breastfeeding and advocacy work. Here is what she had to share:

At a recent event, Rita shared with us that she had received an award for her many years of breastfeeding her 9 children. We asked if she would share her experience with breastfeeding and the work she is doing. 

Rita: “Thank you so much for giving me the opportunity to be in a safe space to share my experiences with breastfeeding.

In June 2008, I was interviewed for a newspaper article on breastfeeding, to share my experiences. After the interview I received an award for completing over 20 years of successful breastfeeding experience with my 9 children.

In Islam, it is highly recommended to breastfeed your child for the first 24 months of their life, unless there is a health risk with mom or child. In the Islamic community, the only support system mothers receive is from the women in the family [who] encourage and support [the] mom. Unfortunately, [often] the moms family is back home. My mother was my coach and support person, with the guidance of the rulings of Islam for breastfeeding.

In 1998, after struggling with my second c-section, I formed a Muslim support group for moms during their postpartum period. The Muslim women in that community would gather and set schedules to take turns assisting mom with meal prep, light housekeeping, childcare and breastfeeding support for 40 days.

After working at Cambridge Health Alliance as a medical assistant for a couple of years, I was asked to run a breastfeeding support group at the Somerville Community Health Center. After running a successful breastfeeding support group, I gained confidence to apply for the doula training at BMC as a Birth Sista. That’s when I found my calling.



Looking back at all the years of breastfeeding my children, ,my breastfeeding journey [and] experiences were wonderful,. That was the only time I can remember that I was relaxed. It was the best time to bond with my babies. I want to support other moms [to] get the same or better experience that I did in my breastfeeding journey. I am truly blessed to have the experience of nursing all my children for the first two years of their lives.” 

We are very grateful to Rita for sharing her story and are honored to have her join us at the 2024 ROSE Community Transformer Training! 

Here are some resources for LGBTQ+ individuals, as well as caregivers, educators, providers, and allies:

Julia Lotin

LICSW, PMH-C, Executive Director for Melanin Mass Moms

As Boston Breastfeeding Coalition, We extend our sincerest gratitude to Julia Lotin for the exceptional Perinatal Moods and Anxiety Disorders workshop for our May Scholar Support Night. Julia’s expertise and insightful content on the subject left an indelible mark on each participant. Julia not only works tirelessly in her private practice to provide compassionate care for maternal mental health issues but also as a founder of the Melanin Mass Moms Facebook Group which has grown into a wonderful community for women of color to share thoughts, ideas and resources. We are deeply appreciative of the invaluable knowledge and resources Julia’s provided throughout her presentation. Thank you for your commitment for highlighting the mental health issues Mothers/families face during the postpartum period. Find out more about Julia Lotin here https://www.journeytoselfservices.com/

We would also like to thank our Vital Village Network/Boston Breastfeeding Members and Partners for attending our scholar support night and supporting our Scholars. 

Postpartum Support International 

●       Helpline: 1-800-944-4773

MCPAP for Moms

●       Helpline: 1-800-944-4773

National Maternal Mental Health Helpline 

●       Helpline: 1-833-TLC-MAMA (1-833-852-6262)

Suicide Helpline

24/7 free, confidential support

●       Helpline: 988

Melanin Mass Moms Support Group 

Meeting Friday, Jun 21 at 7:00 pm in-person at The Tot Cafe by Little Cocoa Bean Co.

The Boston Breastfeeding Coalition Meeting

Thursday, June 13th at 12:00p

June Scholar Support Night

Wednesday, June 26th at 6:00PM

Announcing

Launch date is Sunday, July 14.

The group will be on Zoom from 7:00AM to 9:00AM every Sunday. 

Inspired by and facilitated by Ieshia Lee, ROSE Breastfeeding Peer Counselor, CD, ICC, CHW

Ieshia is inspired by her 20+ years as a doula, working with birthing and postpartum parents. She feels this time, during the weekend and early in the morning, will reach more parents who need support. “Just like if you had a mom who had been struggling during the night..” she can come on early and get the support. Ieshia adds, , “Even if they go to church, they can come on and get the help and then go on about their day.”

Volunteer opportunities for VVN Breastfeeding Scholars and Boston Breastfeeding Coalition Members: Tabling at Community Events. 

We are excited to be joining some of our Community partners at the following events! The VVN Boston Breastfeeding Coalition will be hosting tables at these events around Boston: connecting with communities in Boston, Dorchester, and Mattapan. We hope you can join us! If you are interested in co-hosting or attending a table, please email us at breastfeedingboston@gmail.com with the event name and date.  

Family Restoration Day

Join our partners from Propa City Community Outreach.

Community Baby Shower

Join our partners, Daughters of Yahweh Community Outreach

Diaper Depot

Mattapan Farmer’s Market

Join our partners, Mattapan Food and Fitness Coalition, at the Mattapan Square Farmer’s Market

Boston Breastfeeding Coalition

Free Lactation Support

My“Self”in the World Children Storytime

Join us along with your children for our weekly My“Self”in the World Children Storytime with. A collaboration of Vital Village Networks and the Boston Public Library (Children Librarians) Storytellers.

Every week with a different theme, books, and songs and activities.

CONtexts

CONtexts (Community Resources On Health Nearby Fun) is a free text messaging service and interactive resource sharing map that promotes child and family wellness by providing current information nearby community resources, wellness tips, and family-fun events.

Once you’re subscribed you will receive 3 weekly free text messages: Monday’s text - nearby community resources, Wednesday’s text - wellness tips, Friday’s text - a family-fun events.

Moms Matter Act ~ Call to Action

Send your letter by July 3

We are proud to be a part of the Massachusetts Mind the Gap Coalition pushing for the Moms Matter Act. As you may know, this bill addresses the significant need for more mental health services for new parents, particularly in historically marginalized communities. 

Postpartum depression and other Perinatal Mood and Anxiety Disorders (PMADs) are the #1 complication of pregnancy, impacting about 20% of new moms and about 10% of new dads. Most parents facing these mental health challenges Weekly Online Support Group | Join a Free Group Today (postpartum.net) do not receive care. And unfortunately, Black and Brown moms face higher rates of PMADs than their white counterparts, but are less likely to receive care because of a range of barriers (mistrust of the medical system, practical barriers like childcare, fear of child protective services, lack of culturally congruent providers, and more). 

The Moms Matter Act would make a difference by expanding and diversifying the perinatal mental health workforce and investing in community-based organizations supporting new parents TODAY.

After a powerful hearing, the Moms Matter Act received a “favorable” report from the Joint Committee on Mental Health, Substance Use, and Recovery in March. It is now currently under consideration by the Joint Committee on Health Care Financing, with a “report out” deadline of this July 3. If the bill does NOT receive a favorable report by this deadline, we lose our chance to pass it this legislative session! Can you help? Just click this link to add your name in support with the Committee and the House Speaker today!

Julia Lotin’s Free Perinatal Mental Health Workshop

Thursday, June 20, 2024 1:00 - 2:00 pm

Virtual Event on Zoom

Journey to Self Services is hosting a free Lunch & Learn Prenatal Mental Health Workshop with Julia Lotin, LICSW, PMH-C

Massachusetts Department of Public Health Infant Feeding Survey

MDPH invites families to take this important survey. The purpose of this survey is to see what families think about current supports and resources related to infant feeding in Massachusetts. The survey results will contribute to our current needs assessment and help inform our statewide strategic plan for breastfeeding.

The survey takes approximately 10-15 minutes to complete and is available in 10 languages: Arabic, Chinese (Simplified), English, Haitian Creole, Khmer, Portuguese, Russian, Spanish, and Vietnamese. MDPH is offering parents who complete the survey a chance to participate in a raffle for children’s books/educational items.

2024 Family Restoration Day

Join Propa City Community Outreach and Friends at their 2024 Family and Friends Restoration Day for community resources, family activities, music, entertainment, games, storytimes and more! With questions, contact admin@propacityco.org

Daughters of Yahweh Community Baby Shower

Join Daughters of Yahweh Community Outreach invites you to their first annual Community Baby Shower! There will be gently used clothing and toys, a maternity closet, siblings corner, workshops, community resources, raffles, and light refreshments will be served. The first 15 registered families will receive a gift! 

Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts (BCBSMA) Foundation’s Special Initiatives Grant

Proposals due on Wednesday, July 31, 2024 at 12:00 p.m.

The Special Initiatives grant program provides organizations with a one-time grant of up to $50,000 to pilot or launch a new project over a one-year period. This grant is intended to fund projects that empower communities to advance health equity. Projects should positively impact the health or health care related needs of those Massachusetts residents who have been economically, socially, culturally, or racially marginalized. The goal of this grant program is to help these projects be sustained, scaled, and potentially replicated. The Foundation expects to award between 5 and 6 grants during this cycle.

Vital Village Network's Boston Breastfeeding Coalition is committed to improving access to breastfeeding support for every parent in Boston, promoting connections between individuals and organizations that engage in breastfeeding advocacy, and supporting pathways for professional lactation counselors.