AI: Women worldwide are dying of pregnancy-related causes at a rate of about one a minute.

From Amnesty International

Dear Friends:
It's appalling how many women are dying in the United States from complications due to pregnancy and childbirth. The awful truth behind the shocking numbers is that half of these deaths can be prevented.
Many of these women have no access to health care or proper maternal care. In fact, nearly 13 million women between the ages of 15 and 44 – that's one in five women of reproductive age – have no insurance at all. Many begin pregnancy with untreated or unmanaged conditions that can get worse with pregnancy.
The story only gets worse when you look at the rates of pregnancy-related deaths among minority women. African-American women are nearly four times more likely to die of pregnancy-related complications than white women. In high-risk pregnancies, the disparities are even greater; African-American women are five and a half times more likely to die than white women.

If we're going to see to it that all pregnant women get the care that they deserve, then we have to convince Senators and Representatives to get with the program. That's why from March 29-April 9th we're taking our message to the streets – and hometowns – of our elected officials!

Help us bring the fight for women's rights to your community by coordinating a meeting with your Senators and Representative.

During these dates, clusters of human rights supporters will mobilize in local districts across the country to tell elected officials face-to-face that these women don't have to die. We've seen the powerful effect that these meetings have on Senators and Representatives. When they are forced to answer tough questions, they are forced to identify real solutions.
We can fight this tragedy, but we have to be organized! With your help, we can put this issue front and center in the hearts and minds of Senators and Representatives. Help coordinate a meeting in your local district.
Our government relations experts are on-hand to answer all your questions about how to organize an effective meeting and present the issue clearly. We have also prepared step-by-step guides to support your work and other instructional opportunities to ensure that you feel prepared before you meet with your elected officials.
Join our fight to prevent pregnancy-related deaths. We will not back down until a woman's right to a safe childbirth is fully protected.

Chris McGraw
Grassroots Advocacy Program Director Amnesty International USA