Before the Strategy, There Was Trust

How one gathering laid the foundation for a statewide birth justice movement

This is a reflection on the Massachusetts Birth Justice Leadership Roundtable, a gathering convened by Vital Village Networks to build the trust, relationships, and shared vision that statewide movement requires. It is also an invitation to join us.

Made possible through the generous support of Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts Foundation, The Boston Foundation, and Wagner Foundation.

It didn't start with a meeting. It started with a feeling.

A weekend. A room full of people who had been doing this work — quietly, loudly, tirelessly — for years. Some of them had crossed paths before. Some hadn’t. But because of who called them into that space, there was already an understanding: you’re safe here. You’ll be held here. And you’re responsible for holding each other, too.

This gathering was made possible because three foundations — Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts Foundation, The Boston Foundation, and the Wagner Foundation — chose to invest not just in a program, but in a process. In trust. In the belief that before you can build a statewide movement, you have to build the conditions for one.

There was no agenda waiting at the door. No pressure to prove anything. No need to translate lived experience into something more “professional” or palatable. People came as they were — carrying the weight of this work, its history, and the hope that something different could be built.

And in that space, that moment, something began to form — quiet at first, but unmistakably a movement in the making.

Inside the Massachusetts Birth Justice Leadership Roundtable

Starting with Joy and Reflection:

The conversation began with a grounding question:

What is a moment in this work that made you feel proud, hopeful, or reminded you why it matters?

One reflection pointed to time spent together at retreat—sitting around the bonfire, listening to stories that went back years. Those stories put into perspective how much each individual has grown, how relationships have strengthened, and how each person’s personal trajectory and growth has contributed to the broader maternal health movement.

What made that moment meaningful was being part of a group that is centering relationships first—and letting that guide what comes next.

Another reflection named something small but meaningful: people setting aside their egos—providers, partners, people with a lot of letters behind their names—but all focused on keeping patients and community members served.

It did not matter what anyone knew before coming into the space. The point was to sit down equally and talk about what needs to happen, as a collective in Massachusetts, to make this real.

And then, importantly, to name the action steps after—because it is good to come together and feel good, but someone still has to do what comes next.

What Is Being Built

The vision spoken into the room was clear:

Transforming the perinatal health ecosystem to shift power and uphold a community-led model of care that restores dignity, equity, choice, agency, autonomy, and revolutionizes family-centered care. This work is not starting from zero.

As reflected in the discussion, even within a few months, people are already talking about transformative things. There is movement across collaboration and cohesion, reclaiming culture and tradition, and universal access and workforce.

Reclaiming culture and reclaiming tradition is not abstract. People are already instituting these approaches in their lactation work, doula work, and other forms of practice. It is already happening.

A Different Way of Building

When asked what felt most powerful or different about the vision and statewide strategy, one response was direct: It is informed by a really diverse group of perspectives.

Sometimes work like this is led by one type of healthcare provider, or all physicians, or all public health policy people. But here, people with different types of experiences and identities were crafting it together.

Even in a small group of words, it felt very human—very human-centered. There was also reflection on how the space itself was created.

There was no agenda shared ahead of time. People arrived, and it felt like family—because they are family—and it also felt cared for.

Doing this work is difficult. Trusting people with your time, your space, your energy, and your vulnerability is something.

Why This Work Requires Community

When asked why this group had been called together, the answer was simple:

We are better together. We can only accomplish things together. We are in community with one another, whether we recognize it or not. Coming together is an opportunity to recognize that.

It is also an opportunity to have a balm, because this work is hard. People can be surrounded by others and still feel isolated, or like they are carrying a great deal alone.

These moments create space to be creative together, to appreciate how unique and beautiful and inspiring each person is, and to recognize how much each person has to offer. It feels limitless what can be accomplished together.

Call to Action

The message that emerged from the roundtable was clear:

Remain united and ignited. Persevere. Do not lose hope.

Be mindful of what is being processed, what is being allowed in, and what is being spoken out. Speak life into the work. Speak hope again.

Remember that people are resilient and will persevere with hope, positivity, and love.

And return to dignity—because dignity is the word, and it cannot be forgotten.

For community members who feel unheard, unseen, dismissed, or unsupported—we carry you. We are fighting for you. And things will change.

So never lose hope, and continue to check on each other.