Badges
Esperanza Dodge is a Ms. Foundation Public Voices Fellow and the Mamas Justice Organizer at Young Women United, based in Albuquerque, New Mexico.
Esperanza Dodge
Blog Post List
October 4, 2017
My son was 2 years old when I first learned he has asthma. I was terrified as his face turned blue and he had trouble breathing. He was immediately treated at the ER and we had to stay there overnight to get him back up to normal. Although it was a scary situation, I was extremely grateful he was able to breathe again and that I had Medicaid to help me afford his care. As my income changed and he transitioned into CHIP, it still meant that I was able to afford copays to see his doctor for asthma check-ups and the medications needed to manage his condition. Julián is now 10 years old and still...
MomsRising
Together
October 28, 2016
Halloween is a scary day — not only because of the monsters, zombies and ghosts lurking around every corner, but also because of every parent’s fear for the safety of their kids. We worry about everything from car accidents to child predators. But as parents of children of color, at times especially young black males, we worry about the safety of our kids every single day. Not just the normal worries every parent has — we live with the terror of knowing that our sons could be unjustly targeted and hurt or at worse killed by the very people sworn to protect them. And we struggle with the...
MomsRising
Together
October 17, 2016
I’m sure you know of plenty of women who say “breast is best” and let their opinions known that formula is substandard for babies. They’re ready to defend the idea that breast milk is the only option unless it’s a dire emergency. Even then, after new moms have tried breastfeeding multiple times, seen various lactation professionals if a medical professional deems it absolutely necessary, they can they consider formula. I was one of those people. I recall a quote, “Why survive when you can thrive?” suggesting formula keeps a baby alive and fed, but breast milk makes that baby healthier and...
MomsRising
Together
August 2, 2016
As we celebrate World Breastfeeding Week and the beautiful things our bodies can do for our babies, we should also take time to remember the emotional hardships some moms face: The unspoken reality that many moms are dealing with postpartum depression while breastfeeding. As a single mom, I experienced depression during pregnancy and after giving birth, even while breastfeeding. Like many new mothers, I thought it was simply a phase like baby blues because no one had talked to me about it. Moms can feel so alone if they think they are doing something wrong or are too afraid to ask for help...
MomsRising
Together