Storytelling as Advocacy
Storytelling has always been a powerful tool for change. Within Black maternal health, personal narratives are more than stories — they are acts of advocacy. Centering lived experience alongside data is essential in maternal health advocacy, as these narratives illuminate realities that numbers alone cannot capture.
While data is critical for understanding what is happening, stories help us understand why it matters.
Personal stories can move hearts and shift perspectives in ways that data alone cannot. When policymakers, healthcare providers, and the public hear directly from those impacted, abstract issues become urgent and personal. Advocacy grounded in storytelling helps ensure policies are shaped by those most affected by the issue rather than assumptions.
As organizations, advocates, and decision-makers, we have a responsibility to use stories ethically. For example, when advocating for expanded Medicaid coverage for postpartum care, an organization might partner with a Black mother/birthing person to share their experience navigating postpartum complications after losing medical coverage.
Before sharing the story, the organization would:
Obtain informed consent and clearly explain where and how the story will be used (e.g., a policy brief, a legislative meeting, or a public report).
Collaborate with the storyteller on the narrative, allowing them to review, edit, and approve the final version.
Offer compensation for their time and emotional labor.
Provide options for anonymity or partial identification.
When the story is shared, it is framed within a broader context:
“This experience reflects a systemic gap in postpartum coverage, not an individual failure. Each year, thousands of birthing people face similar barriers due to insurance policies that end care too soon.”
The organization pairs the story with data, policy recommendations, and calls to action, such as extending Medicaid coverage to 12 months postpartum, so the focus remains on structural change rather than personal tragedy.
Afterward, the organization:
Checks in with the storyteller to ensure she feels supported and respected.
Does not reuse the story beyond the agreed-upon scope without renewed consent.
Final Reflections
When we commit to storytelling as a practice of justice rather than extraction, we help shift responsibility from individuals to the systems that shape maternal health outcomes. By doing this, we create space for narratives not only to be heard but also to drive meaningful, lasting change.
