Health and Human Services Commissioner Helen Caulton-Harris and Mayoral Aide Shenell Ford joined today for the City of Springfield’s second annual Black Maternal Health Week celebration at City Hall. Ms. Ford presented a mayoral proclamation on behalf of Mayor Domenic J. Sarno declaring April 11th – 17th as “Black Maternal Health Week” in the City of Springfield. Commissioner Helen Caulton Harris spoke along with Laconia Fennell, of Springfield Family Doulas and Everett Hanford, Regional 1 Director for the United States Department of Health and Human Services, and Kim Rivera on behalf of State Representative Bud L. Williams. The city’s Chief Diversity and Inclusion Officer Judith Crowell also joined.
Mayor Sarno states, “I want to thank my Mayoral Aide Shenell Ford, who is also the Founder and Owner of Heart2Heartbeat Lactation and Wellness, for helping to coordinate this awareness celebration for Black maternal health, as part of Public Health month. Shenell has been working and advocating in this space for many years and I am proud to continue to support her efforts. It truly takes a village to help raise a family and events such as this helps to empower, educate and increase awareness to enhance the public health of all our residents, especially for the mothers and soon-to-be moms out there, of the many programs and initiatives that can provide much-needed support.”
Commissioner Caulton-Harris states, “Shenell is the recipient of the Commissioner’s Award for Public Health Month in the City of Springfield, due to this important work she does to advance the health & wellness of women of all cultures. I’m proud to stand with her in supporting increased access to education and care. There is a need for greater dialogue in the Black Community and to create systems that support women and birthing people overall. We must Educate, Legislate, Advocate and Agitate!”
Shenell Ford states, “Heartfelt thank you to Mayor Sarno for his continued ‘yes’ in support of birth and breastfeeding efforts in our city. To Commissioner Caulton-Harris, Regional 1 Director Everett Handford, Laconia Fennell of Springfield Family Doulas and Kim Rivera of Rep Bud’s office, thank you for filling our program with such rich insight and information, and for the amazing work you all do to advance Black maternal health. I’m forever grateful to serve in this space and humbled to celebrate Black Maternal Health Week right here in Springfield.”