Service

Zeta Phi Beta Raised Over $700,000 to Provide Prenatal Education for Mothers Through ‘March for Babies’ Walking Events in 2019 Alone

The sorors of Zeta Phi Beta are doing some extremely powerful work in funding prenatal education through the March of Dimes

March of Dimes president, Stacey Stewart, recently announced that Zeta chapters across the country had raised over $700,000 for March for Babies walking events in 2019 alone and that they had contributed over $5.5 million to date. The money raised to provide prenatal education and support for mothers in need.

“Zeta and the March of Dimes serve tens of thousands of women with prenatal education and support through its Stork’s Nest and Prematurity Awareness programs to help alleviate birth inequity,” a press release issued by the sorority stated. “Our mothers are dying during and after childbirth at alarming rates. As a service organization of over 120,000 women, Zeta Phi Beta will continue to lead and champion for mothers and babies worldwide,” said Valerie Hollingsworth Baker, International Centennial President.

Valerie Hollingsworth Baker, Zeta international president (left) receives the “March of Dimes Gwen Carmen Alpha Phi Alpha/Zeta Phi Beta Challenge Award” from March of Dimes president, Stacey Stewart (right) on Sept. 10 at Zeta headquarters in Washington D.C.

@MarchofDimes President Stewart announced that Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc was the top fundraiser winning the Alpha Phi Alpha/ Zeta Phi Beta challenge. Zeta raised $707,099 – the largest ever in the history of our 47 year partnership! @ZPHIBHQ @MarchofDimesCEO pic.twitter.com/RzHaLRmhQi

— VHollingsworth-Baker (@ZetaOnFIRE) September 11, 2019

This is extremely necessary work, “According to the March of Dimes, the mortality rate in the U.S. is 17.3 deaths per 100,000 live births. However, for non-Hispanic black women it is 43.5 per 100,000 live births versus 12.7 for white women,” the press release stated.

“Our chapters are committed to implementing strong innovative programming to achieve better pregnancy outcomes and decrease barriers to birth equity,” said Dr. Joanne Patterson, Zeta’s director of Stork’s Nest and Birth Equity program. “We are excited to launch a Stork’s Nest mobile app and offer transportation options in 2020, our centennial year, to better serve expectant mothers on bedrest and in rural areas,” Patterson added.