Westchester County Legislator Shanae Williams presented a $20,000 check to Nubia Martin, founder and CEO of Birth from the Earth, Inc. to support the vital Amber Rose Isaac Access to Home Birth Fund. Fellow Legislator Jewel Williams Johnson and other community leaders joined Williams to show support to the nonprofit, which helps address the maternal health crisis facing our families, particularly among women of color. 

Since 2020, Birth from the Earth has helped over 60 families access safe home births with qualified midwives—far exceeding their initial goals. Evidence shows that for healthy, low-risk pregnancies, home births can be the safest option, yet insurance often doesn't fully cover these services.

The fund was renamed in honor of Amber Rose Isaac, a 26-year-old who tragically lost her life while giving birth after experiencing medical negligence at a Bronx hospital. This funding will help 8-10 more families receive up to $2,500 each toward midwifery care.

With home births rising among Black mothers in New York since the pandemic, this support is crucial to addressing the maternal health disparities in our community.