Juneteenth and Black Maternal Health
Why Birth Justice Is Essential for True Freedom
Juneteenth, observed on June 19th, marks the day in 1865 when enslaved Black Americans in Galveston, Texas finally learned they were free—more than two years after the Emancipation Proclamation. It is a moment of celebration, remembrance, and reflection.
At Sanctuary CARES, we honor Juneteenth not only as a historical milestone but as a call to action. Because while legal slavery ended, the systems of racial injustice it left behind still deeply impact Black families today—especially in maternal, birth and postpartum care.
The Ongoing Crisis in Black Maternal Health
Black maternal health outcomes in the U.S. remain deeply inequitable:
Black women are three times more likely to die from pregnancy-related causes than white women.
Postpartum hypertension affects over 1 in 3 Black mothers.
Up to 56% of Black birthing people report symptoms of postpartum mood and anxiety disorders (PMADs), yet many go undiagnosed and unsupported.
These outcomes aren’t just the result of medical risk factors—they are symptoms of a larger systemic failure. Structural racism, implicit bias in healthcare, and limited access to culturally competent care continue to harm Black mothers during one of the most vulnerable times of their lives.
Why Juneteenth Matters for Birth Justice
Juneteenth teaches us that freedom delayed is freedom denied. Today, that lesson applies not just to the past, but to the present state of maternal care for Black mothers.
True liberation means:
Rest and recovery after birth, not medical emergencies
Culturally rooted support from trusted providers and community, not isolation or dismissal
Access to care, not barriers based on race or income
Mental wellness, not unspoken suffering
At Sanctuary CARES, we believe that the “fourth trimester” should be a time of healing, safety, and support—not preventable trauma.
Our Commitment to Black Maternal Liberation
We are proud that Sanctuary CARES is a non-profit organization working to center equity and joy in the postpartum experience. Through community care, advocacy, and research, we are working towards a future where Black mothers are seen, heard, and supported.
This includes our ongoing study on postpartum doula care, designed to explore how culturally attuned support can improve outcomes for Black and BIPOC birthing families. Because Black families deserve more than data points—they deserve dignity and rest.
How You Can Take Action
This Juneteenth, we invite you to move beyond commemoration and into collective action for Black maternal liberation.
Here’s how you can support:
Donate
Support Sanctuary CARES' mission to provide community-based, equitable postpartum care.
Refer a Family
Know someone in the Boulder–Denver area who would benefit from postpartum support? Help connect them to care.
Uplift Black Voices
Share this post. Center Black birth stories. Amplify Black maternal health leaders and advocates in your community.
Juneteenth and the Future of Freedom
Freedom is not just the absence of chains—it’s the presence of justice, care, and joy.
This Juneteenth, we acknowledge the past and move forward building a world where Black mothers and babies don’t just survive—they thrive. Because freedom isn’t complete without birth justice.
Sources:
1 Parker, S. E., Ajayi, A., & Yarrington, C. D. (2023). De novo postpartum hypertension: Incidence and risk factors at a safety-net hospital. Hypertension, 80(2), 279–287.
2 Hernandez, N.D., Francis, S., Allen, M. et al. (2022). Prevalence and predictors of symptoms of Perinatal Mood and Anxiety Disorders among a sample of urban Black women in the South. Matern Child Health J 26, 770–777 .
