2020 RECAP
SHOWING UP FOR MARGINALIZED COMMUNITIES
Tiered discounts for nonprofits - We offered (and will continue to offer) deeper discounts to nonprofits that align with our mission and vision (ex. if they’re founded by a BIPOC or LGBTQIA+, if they use inclusive language, if they support marginalized communities, etc.)
Diverse illustrations - Our founder, Amy Haderer, created over 300 diverse and inclusive illustrations showing BIPOC and LGBTQIA+ families.
Inclusive language - Knowing not all families are cis/heterosexual and not all birthing people identify as female, we use second persona and inclusive language in all our educational materials. We also have options that queer folks can put on their visual birth plan to alert medical staff that they want different language to be used at their birth.
Educating Educators - In our Educator Portal, we have educator guides with additional information on how to better support BIPOC, LGBTQIA+, and disabled families. We constantly highlight how systemic racism within the medical system directly and catastrophically impacts these communities, and how they can better support their families.
Skill Shares - To continue our education and advocacy within the birth community, we’ve curated video call Skill Shares from leaders within the BIPOC, LGBTQIA+, and disabled community. We believe in lifting up and amplifying these voices.
Social Media - Wherever possible, we continue to support BIPOC and LGBTQIA+ businesses and organizations through a #GIVEFIRST campaign. We believe that solutions first and foremost come from within marginalized communities and are committed to being an ally to these organizations.
ONWARD 2021!
Scholarships - This was slated to launch in 2020 but unfortunately it didn’t manifest. We are making a public promise to our community that a select number of scholarships will be launched in 2021 on an application basis.
Keep an eye out for applications shortly!
★ Parents - Families from marginalized communities who want to access our visual birth plan app will be able to do so.
★ Birth-Workers - Doulas, educators, and care providers from marginalized communities can access our educational materials on a discounted (or even free) basis to use with their families.
★ Nonprofits - Several nonprofits and organizations that fit with our mission and values (ie. BIPOC / LGBTQAI+ / Disabled - founded, uses inclusive language, serves marginalized communities, etc.) will be accepted to access our tools with the families they serve.
REVIEW PROCESS
While we are currently working through the details and logistics, these applications will be independently reviewed by members within these communities to maintain the integrity of the scholarship program. Review board members will be paid for their time. If you qualify and are interested in participating, please reach out!
Decision Aids - At [M]otherboard we believe intensely in informed choice. We are currently testing and piloting iDecide, our bedside education tool, to be included with our birth professional memberships in Jan/Feb. You will also be able to share this tool with your clients to review on their own!
UPDATE: We recently made the difficult decision to release all our part-time independent contractors and restructure our business operations by hiring a Certified Online Business Manager (OBM). We are committed to being equitable in the hiring process. This change was necessary to make [M]otherboard more efficient and sustainable.
We have deep respect and gratitude for these contractors, and empathy for how hard it must be to be let go from something that was meaningful for them. We wish them continued success.