Deborah Koff Ross: “I rise today, during Women's History Month, to honor Ellen Lewis of Wake Forest, North Carolina, a remarkable community…”

“I rise today, during Women's History Month, to honor Ellen Lewis of Wake Forest, North Carolina, a remarkable community member who is not often remembered in the history books. Born into slavery, Ellen Lewis was about 15 years old when Union soldiers came through Wake Forest after the Civil War and told enslaved people that they were free. After emancipation, she built a life of service to her community, becoming a respected nurse and midwife who delivered hundreds of babies, both Black and White. Her story reminds us of the generations of Black women who have been the backbone of maternal care in our communities. Yet, today, Black mothers in America are still far more likely to experience complications or die from pregnancy-related causes. Let's recommit ourselves to building a healthcare system where every mother can give birth safely and with dignity.”