From Intentions to Impact: When Being an “Ally” is Not Nearly Enough
Date: Thursday, December 12, 2:00 - 3:15 p.m. ET
Presenter: Natalie S. Burke, President and CEO, CommonHealth ACTION
Since the inception of our nation, inequities in systems and institutions have been persistent, avoidable threats to the health and wellbeing of our communities, our families, and to optimal childbirth experiences. Those inequities reflect flaws in the economic, social, and moral fabric of our country. Recent data on birth outcomes including infant and maternal mortality; dissatisfaction with childbirth experiences; and disparate access to childbirth supports indicate inequities that are insidious and life-threatening.
To end those inequities, leaders must emerge who are willing to take the next brave step towards equity: allyship.
Many of today’s conversations amongst the the well-intended fail to explore the truth about what is necessary to be an ally across various identities. As a result, some people are uncomfortable declaring themselves to be allies; many self-identified allies are allies in name only; and most fail to take the action necessary on a daily basis to fight against microaggressions, oppression, and inequities.
Webinar Objectives
- Explore an emerging framework for allyship beyond the traditional “White Ally”
- Develop an understanding of the roles of power, privileged identities, and being “anti-ist” for every ally
- Establish the importance of allyship to achieving birth equity and creating equitable, diverse, and inclusive work environments
- Identify next steps for action and individual development as allies for birth equity and equity, diversity, and inclusion
About Natalie Burke
A nationally-known speaker, strategist, master facilitator, and public health leader, Natalie S. Burke is President and CEO of CommonHealth ACTION, whose mission is to develop people and organizations to produce health through equitable policies, programs, and practices.
She serves as co-director for the Robert Wood Johnson funded Culture of Health Leaders Program and directs Kaiser Permanente’s Institute for Equitable Leadership.
A graduate of the University of Maryland, Natalie has participated in the Emerging Leaders in Public Health Fellowship (University of North Carolina’s Schools of Business and Public Health) and New York University’s Robert F. Wagner School of Public Service Lead the Way Fellowship for entrepreneurial leaders in the nonprofit sector.
Natalie believes that to alter our collective health destiny, we must change our language; challenge deeply held beliefs about equity in our society and accept the role we each play in the production of the public’s health.