Latest news with #Welteroth
Refinery29
2 days ago
- Health
- Refinery29
MAC VIVA GLAM Joins Forces With BirthFund To Make Maternal Care Mainstream
When it comes to beauty brands giving back, few walk the walk quite like MAC Cosmetics. Through its VIVA GLAM initiative (which celebrated 30 years last year), the brand has donated over half a billion dollars to various causes supporting the fight against HIV/AIDS, as well as environmental impact and gender and racial equality. Today, MAC is furthering its impact by adding maternal care to its roster of VIVA GLAM recipients through a new partnership with birthFUND. The Los Angeles-based organization is dedicated to making midwifery care accessible to families in need. It was partially inspired by founder Elaine Welteroth's experience having her first son in 2022. 'I went into my first pregnancy thinking I was going to give birth in the hospital, the way it's been normalized my whole life,' Welteroth tells Refinery29. 'And yet, I could not find care that made me feel safe in the midst of a surging maternal mortality crisis that we know [disproportionately affects] Black women.' After being introduced to midwifery care in her third trimester, Welteroth says it 'completely changed the trajectory of not just my pregnancy and giving birth, but also my life.' Here's why access to midwifery care matters: According to the World Health Organization, midwives can help prevent over 80% of all maternal deaths, stillbirths, and neonatal deaths. Not to be mistaken for doulas, midwives are clinically trained professionals who offer a holistic approach to care with a focus on both mental and physical well-being. BirthFUND was founded not only with the mission of saving lives but also to empower mothers throughout pregnancy and beyond. 'We're living at a time where up to 50% of mothers describe their birth experiences as 'traumatic', says Welteroth. 'The most empowering thing I have ever done was giving birth on my terms. It changed me fundamentally.' With a $200,000 grant from MAC VIVA GLAM, birthFUND will now be able to completely cover costs for a fourth cohort of families who otherwise would not be able to afford midwifery care. Through its partner organization, The Victoria Project, birthFUND also provides culturally affirming, ongoing support to families and midwives, ensuring care every step of the way. 'VIVA GLAM has always stood for using the power of beauty to spark bold, meaningful change – and this partnership with birthFUND and The Victoria Project is a powerful new chapter in that legacy,' said Rachel Lockett, Vice President of Marketing for M·A·C North America via press release. 'The spirit of this movement is: we don't need permission to save ourselves,' she says. 'We can activate in real time."
Yahoo
13-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Elaine Welteroth Says ‘Motherhood Needs a Rebrand': ‘More Fun Than It Sounds' (Exclusive)
Elaine Welteroth held her first birthFUND Mother's Day Party with a Purpose as a way to celebrate the holiday with families in the community The journalist founded the organization after her own poor experience trying to find an OB-GYN during her first pregnancy She shares two children with husband Jonathan SingletaryElaine Welteroth is celebrating the magic of motherhood. On Saturday, May 10, the New York Times best-selling author and mother of two, 38, hosted her first birthFUND Mother's Day Party with a Purpose event in Los Angeles at The Underground Museum. The organization, which she founded after her own disparaging experience while trying to find an OB-GYN during her first pregnancy, was created to 'cover the cost of holistic perinatal care and midwifery birth support' for local L.A. women who otherwise would not be able to. Speaking exclusively to PEOPLE, Welteroth called hosting the community event on her fifth wedding anniversary to husband Jonathan Singletary 'total serendipity.' 'Last year, we were launching, and it made sense to do something that was intimate,' she said. 'But for this year, people need a reason to dance. People need a reason to gather joyfully. We need a reason to remember how powerful we are in the community. And that's what this event is about.' Welteroth, who made history in 2016 as the second person of African-American heritage in Condé Nast's 107-year history to be named editor-in-chief of Teen Vogue, welcomed her second child in November 2024. At Saturday's event, she told PEOPLE there needs to be a shift in how some people view motherhood. 'It's so much more fun than I ever imagined. It's the joy of my life. It's the best part of my life. I used to be afraid that my life was too full to fit in motherhood and that I'd have to give up something that I value. But it's only expanded my life and my sense of purpose,' Welteroth said. She continued, 'They're the best part of my life and they're the most fun. Truly. I wish people – I feel like motherhood needs a rebrand because it's way more fun than it sounds like.' 'But a lot of that has to do with having the right support. And so that's what we're here, that's why we're here today. We really believe that mothers deserve more support than they're given. And when you have the right support and the right village behind you, motherhood is such a joyful experience,' she said. And the former talk show host has her own village that made helping her community possible. Additional birthFUND founding members include moms like Serena Williams, Chrissy Teigen, Ashley Graham, Kelly Rowland and more. The 'Motivation' singer, 44, was in attendance at the Party with a Purpose, along with other celebrity mommies Tika Sumpter, Jeannie Mai, Allison Holker, Victoria Monét, Chanel Iman, Chudney Ross and more. Never miss a story — sign up for to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories. 'This Mother's Day weekend felt like a family reunion! 💕So beyond grateful for everyone who pulled up to party with us for our first family-friendly @birthfund Mother's Day Benefit. It was part elevated cookout, part carnival for the kids. Still on a high!' Welteroth captioned an Instagram recap. In a separate post, she wrote, 'My vision was fully fulfilled. And now my heart is exploding with LOVE. For my family, my friends, my community and most of all for my babies. And all the #birthFUND babies (54 of them!) who are thriving bc of the way you all have shown up for this idea that has blossomed into a movement for maternal health at a time when we couldn't need to show up for moms more.' Read the original article on People
