Supporting the March of Dimes has Become a Family Affair

Supporting March of Dimes has become a multi-generational tradition for many families. Here are two of their stories.

Imani and Kimberly Bradford

After a miscarriage in 1998, doctors told Kimberly Bradford she’d never have children. When she had a daughter a year later, she named her Imani, which means faith.

Kimberly connected with March of Dimes after her loss, and Imani went to her first walk at age 1. Twenty-three years later, while working for the PA House of Representatives, Imani was at the Black Maternal Health Press Conference while 20 weeks pregnant. “I just remember thinking: I love this impact. I want to be involved,” she says.

Three months later she nearly died from postpartum preeclampsia, a blood pressure spike that can lead to seizures, stroke and death if not treated. Her nursing training helped her recognize the symptoms and she went to the ER. “Since then, there’s been a fire in me to advocate for moms and babies,” she says.

Like her mom, Imani volunteers with March of Dimes, lobbying in Harrisburg and distributing “I gave birth bracelets” that flag postpartum emergencies. She also founded Maternal Intelligence Technologies, a maternal health tech platform.
At the last walk, Imani was with her mom and son and called it “a full-circle moment.”

OLIVIA and MARE HERMAN

For Olivia Herman, an influencer known as “Philly Mom,” supporting March of Dimes was a natural fit. Before she was born, her mom, “Mare,” worked for March of Dimes organizing Walk America. “She absolutely loved her time there and always spoke highly of it,” Olivia says.

When March of Dimes reached out to her, Olivia offered to use her social media platform to shine a light on maternal and infant health needs. “It was a very fulfilling full-circle moment to be playing a character that is an homage to my mother and then have the opportunity to give back to this community,” she says. “My mom and I have talked for years about how we can give back, specifically to women, and this was the perfect way to get involved.

Olivia joined her first walk this year, and says she values the mission. “As my mother has said for many years, ‘The hand that rocks the cradle rules the world,’” she says. “I think it’s as simple as that, where would we be without the women who bring us into the world? What could be more important than supporting them?”