Interfaith Leadership at the Heart of Maternal and Infant Health Advocacy
May 23, 2025
On May 6th, the InterFaith Leadership Council of Metropolitan Detroit (IFLC) partnered with Zaman Hope for Humanity to co-host a Maternal Infant Health Advancement Mother’s Day Event, to celebrate and empower mothers across Southeast Michigan.
With a commitment to creating healthier pregnancy outcomes and empowering individuals through their journey to parenthood, the IFLC helped lead the way in organizing a day dedicated to celebrating and supporting maternal and infant wellness. The event brought together healthcare providers, community organizations, and faith leaders to prioritize the physical, mental, and emotional health of mothers.
Guests explored free health services through mobile units from Wayne Health, Henry Ford, and MSU, and connected with resources on breastfeeding, sleep safety, mental health, and more. Multilingual support helped ensure that all moms, regardless of background, felt seen and supported, and special attention was given to highlighting the vital role fathers play in nurturing their children’s healthy development.
A key moment of the day was the Faith Leaders Luncheon which gathered faith, medical, academic, and civic leaders to explore how interfaith partnership can drive equitable healthcare. Dr. Natasha Bagdasarian, Chief Medical Executive for the State of Michigan, was featured as special speaker.
As noted by Dr. Cynthia Taueg, InterFaith Leadership Council of Metropolitan Detroit Board of Directors and Chair of the Interfaith Health Equity Partnership, in a landscape where disproportionate access to prenatal care is still a concern, faith leaders play a crucial and often underutilized role in promoting maternal and infant health. IFLC is pleased to be part of the strategies and solutions to save lives.
Special thanks to Zaman Hope for Humanity, Soroptimist International of the Americas, Inc., Henry Ford Health, the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, Wayne State University, DMC Sinai-Grace Hospital, and the Southeast Michigan Perinatal Quality Improvement Coalition (SEMIPQIC) for sponsoring the event, and to Detroit Street Care MSUCOM; Henry Ford Health Cancer and Department of Family Medicine; Wayne Health Mobile Unit; Wayne County, Michigan Health, Human & Veteran Services; Starfish Family Services; University of Michigan College of Pharmacy; and BYU Marriott School for offering time and resources to help mothers and infants in our community stay healthy and safe.
Together, through faith and action, the IFLC and its partners are reimagining what it means to care for mothers, not just on Mother’s Day, but every day.
