March for Change Advocacy Summit mobilizes advocates across the US to improve the health of moms and babies
ARLINGTON, VA (March 27, 2023) – March of Dimes, the leading organization fighting for the health of moms and babies, is organizing the March for Change Advocacy Summit in Washington, D.C. on March 28 and 29, bringing together advocates from across the country to urge lawmakers to advance policies that support the health of moms and babies. During the Summit, March of Dimes will honor Senators Bob Casey (D-PA) and Bill Cassidy (R-LA) with the 2023 March for Change Champion Award for their outstanding leadership on maternal and infant health policy issues, including spearheading the passage of The Pregnant Workers Fairness Act.
Congress passed The Pregnant Workers Fairness Act last year as part of the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2022, culminating a decade-long effort spearheaded by Senators Casey and Cassidy. Together, they worked to gain the support of bipartisan cosponsors and collaborated with a diverse coalition, in which March of Dimes played a leading role. Their tireless efforts resulted in the bill's advancement out of Committee with a near unanimous vote in 2021. The senators' dedication to this cause led to the legislation critical support from Senate leadership and the bill's inclusion as an amendment on the Senate floor with a 73-24 vote.
This landmark legislation establishes a national framework requiring employers to provide reasonable accommodations to pregnant workers to ensure they have healthy pregnancies. It represents a significant victory in addressing the nation's maternal health crisis, especially for Black pregnant and postpartum workers who disproportionately work in low-income, physically demanding jobs and face intersecting forms of discrimination and barriers to receiving accommodations.
"The Pregnant Workers Fairness Act is a critical step in addressing the maternal health crisis in our country,” said Stacey Y. Brayboy, March of Dimes Senior Vice President, Public Policy & Government Affairs. “Senators Casey and Cassidy's bipartisan leadership and unwavering commitment to this important legislation have made a real difference in the lives of countless pregnant workers and their families. We are proud to honor their achievements with the first-ever March for Change Champion Award and look forward to continue working with them on policies that will help all moms and babies have the best possible start."
The March for Change Champion Awards serve as a platform to celebrate and highlight the achievements of legislator of both parties who work together, as well as raise awareness about the ongoing need for policy initiatives that positively impact the lives of pregnant workers and their families. The lawmakers will be honored at the March for Change Congressional Awards Reception on March 28 at the Grand Hyatt Washington.
“Pregnancy should never be a barrier for women who want to stay in the workplace. Thanks to the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act, pregnant workers’ right to reasonable accommodations, such as extra bathroom breaks and stools for workers who stand, is now the law of the land. Everyone deserves commonsense protections from workplace discrimination,” said Senator Casey. “I am proud to receive this honor and I thank March of Dimes and Senator Cassidy for their partnership in protecting the dignity of pregnant workers.”
“Expectant mothers who continue to work by choice or necessity should have the reasonable workplace accommodations they need to have a healthy pregnancy,” said Senator Cassidy. “Proud to have passed the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act to support pregnant mothers, their health and the health of their baby.”
On March 29, maternal and infant health advocates from across the country including Angelina Spicer, March of Dimes Celebrity Advocate Council Member, will take part in meetings with bipartisan congressional offices focusing on three key areas: increasing access to quality health care, supporting healthy women and babies, and improving research and surveillance. March of Dimes urges everyone to become a maternal and infant health advocate by joining a March for Change event in their community or by taking action through their Advocacy Network and calling on their legislators to prioritize the health of moms and babies. Advocates can urge policymakers to pass legislation that can improve the health of moms and babies and create #blanketchange.
In addition to the Advocacy Summit in the nation’s Capital, March of Dimes is mobilizing advocates to March for Change by taking part in lobby day events at state capitols both virtually and in-person in 17 states and territories in March and April. Additionally, as March of Dimes looks back on 85 years of impact, many state governments are issuing proclamations and other acknowledgments honoring the advancements and impact made for moms, babies and families. To date, 22 states, territories and local governments have acknowledged this significant milestone including Alaska, American Samoa, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Kentucky, Maine, Massachusetts, Maryland, Mississippi, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, Oklahoma, Allegheny County PA, Puerto Rico, Texas, Virginia, Vermont, West Virginia and Wisconsin – and more are expected.
For more information about March of Dimes and to sign up for a March for Change event, visit marchofdimes.org/marchforchange.