While many Gwinnett residents watched President Joe Biden’s State of the Union Address on TV tonight, Lawrenceville resident Yaa Agyeiwaa was much closer to the action taking place in Washington D.C.
She was actually be in the room with the president, watching him speak in person.
U.S. Rep. Lucy McBath, D-Ga., announced on Thursday morning that she invited Agyeiwaa to be her guest at the State of the Union Address. Agyeiwaa is a maternal health professional who serves as the director of community partnerships and resources for the Healthy Mothers, Healthy Babies Coalition of Georgia.
McBath hoped Agyeiwaa’s attendance at the State of the Union would send a message about the need to address maternal health issues. Both women wore white clothing to the event to symbolize reproductive rights.
“I always wanted to start a family and like many women in America, I struggled to get pregnant,” the congresswoman said. “I even wondered if God had ever meant for me to be a mother at all. Bringing my son into this world was a miracle for me and for my family. For too many in this country, the miracle of pregnancy ends in tragedy and families are forever shattered by the loss.
“Georgia has the worst rate of maternal death in the country, and the statistics are even worse for women of color. I am proud to have Yaa join me for President Biden’s State of the Union to help highlight the dire consequences facing families in Georgia and bring attention to the resources needed to help keep mothers and their babies healthy before and after childbirth.”
McBath’s office said the maternal mortality rate for the U.S. increased by 89% from 2018 to 2021, and that the nation has a higher rate than other “high-income” countries. The congresswoman helped found the Black Maternal Health Caucus in congress and has worked on legislation to tackle health disparities that families are dealing with.
Meanwhile, Agyeiwaa is a first generation Ghanaian American who works to help Georgia mothers and babies by connecting them with resources that can help with a child’s growth and development. Healthy Mothers, Healthy Babies Coalition of Georgia aims to raise awareness of health resources among families in underserved populations.
“I’m elated to attend this year’s State of the Union with Congresswoman Lucy McBath because she recognizes the need for equitable maternal health care in the State of Georgia. This opportunity highlights the impact of our work to improve maternal infant health and support families,” Agyeiwaa said.