Maternity Rights Are
Worker Rights
Because Black birthgivers deserve the time, care, and dignity to heal, bond, and thrive.
Not just survive.
The Background
Black women/birthgivers face some of the worst maternal health outcomes in the country, including disproportionately high rates of infant mortality and long-lasting mental health challenges after childbirth. These disparities are not accidental; they are the result of systemic inequities that must be addressed.
We are committed to changing this reality by fighting for equitable, accessible, and progressive maternity leave policies in the San Diego region. Maternity rights are worker rights, because true worker justice includes the right to heal, bond, and thrive, not just survive.
THE REPORT
Exposing the Gaps in Maternity Leave Access
The San Diego Black Worker Center has developed a comprehensive Postpartum Leave Report that advocates for equitable maternal health and maternity care access for Black workers. This report reveals how the lack of quality paid maternity leave, combined with confusion around California’s Paid Family Leave (PFL) and Disability Insurance programs, unclear employer-employee leave agreements, and limited education on how to navigate the system deeply impacts the worker experience, harms the physical health of both parent and child, and contributes to broader systemic issues within the Black community.
Through targeted market research, we identified key challenges faced by Black workers, including:
Negative maternal health outcomes due to unclear and insufficient state maternity leave policies.
Pressure to return to work early due to lack of employer-paid leave support or difficulty accessing state benefits causing health issues.
In developing this report, we built a community of Black mothers and birth givers who participated in focus groups, shared lived experiences, and helped shape both the research and policy recommendations. The result is a powerful blend of qualitative stories and quantitative data, providing a roadmap to transform maternity rights into worker rights.
Lead Researcher: Dr. Alana Dillette, PhD, Associate Professor at San Diego State University & Co-Founder: CODE Collaborating on Dialogue & Equity
Executive Director Message
As a mother of two and a lifelong advocate for justice, I know firsthand the challenges Black working mothers face when navigating childbirth and recovery within a system that often denies us the time, care, and dignity we deserve as working mothers. Even with years of experience in worker advocacy, I encountered barriers that made it difficult to fully focus on my birth and healing while maintaining financial stability, this reality sparked a passion in me. I kept thinking, If it’s this hard for me, how much harder is it for others without the same resources or support? That question became the heartbeat of this project.
This report is more than data, it’s a dedication to Black families and our right to live whole and healthy lives. It affirms that maternity rights are worker rights, and that Black birthing people must be centered in any conversation about equity in the workplace. At the San Diego Black Worker Center, we are committed to fighting for a future where recovery, rest, and dignity are not privileges, but guaranteed protections. My hope is that this report serves as a catalyst for transformative change in how our region supports all workers because our wellbeing must come first.