Check out the new website of the International Initiative on Maternal Mortality and Human Rights (IIMMHR).

IIMMHR is a partnership of international, regional, and national civil society organizations committed to a comprehensive human rights approach to maternal mortality, with a core message that half a million needless deaths a year represents a human rights crisis that [...]

Last week’s amazing meeting of some of Africa’s most conscientious First Ladies showed that the momentum we felt take hold at the Women Deliver conference in 2007 — the awareness and concern about the grim challenges that too many mothers confront when attempting to give life — is gaining strength.
The First Ladies I met and [...]

Last week the U.S. Food and Drug Administration announced that it will clear the way for Plan B’s manufacturers’ to make the “morning-after pill” available without a prescription to 17-year-olds. The announcement follows a March 23 ruling by the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of New York that the agency’s initial decision was [...]

We’re right in the middle of WHO EURO’s fourth European Immunization Week, from April 20-26. To celebrate, the agency launched a rather controversial and graphic animated YouTube video that aims to spread the message that that immunization is every child’s right and vital in protecting from disease. What do you think? Does this type of video appeal to you [...]

The following is the speech Jill Sheffield prepared for the African First Ladies Health Summit in Los Angeles (a portion of this written speech was delivered).
Thank you. I’m honored to be included today at such a distinguished gathering.
My mission here is to DEFY the gloomy news of the world – the economic situation, poverty, [...]

Last night was the gala organized by US Doctors for Africa. Nineteen First Ladies were there, or were represented, along with celebrities like Sharon Stone (see photo), Danny Glover, and even Paris Hilton. It was a terrific start to a 5 year effort by US Doctors for Africa and African Synergy.
Before the gala, Sarah Brown [...]

The following is the keynote address Sarah Brown delivered to the African First Ladies Health Summit today in Los Angeles, organized by USDFA and African Synergy. (Originally posted on HuffingtonPost)
Firstly I would like to thank the First Lady of California Maria Shriver — who i know spoke to you at lunch yesterday — for inviting [...]

The First Ladies know the daunting tasks ahead of them: today one said so poignantly, “Illness has taken Africa hostage.” One delegate reminded us of the devastating toll that AIDS is taking on their economies; she described how AIDS is a multiplier of poverty, orphaning more children, killing more mothers, and reducing families to rubble.
They [...]

The Leadership for Health: African First Ladies Health Summit has gotten tons of press around the web. Check out a few articles and blogs:

Daily Kos – “African First Ladies Summit in Los Angeles”
US News & World Report – “16 First Ladies Gather, But Not Michelle Obama”
Business Wire – ExxonMobil Supports Upcoming African First Ladies Summit
Cocorioko [...]

Yesterday, the Leadership for Health: African First Ladies Health Summit kicked off to an amazing start. Maria Shriver gave a welcome speech to the participants of the meeting (over 300 people!) that was absolutely fantastic. She talked about the challenge of being a First Lady – they have no real mandate, no budget, and no staff. [...]