The Association of Women’s Health, Obstetric and Neonatal Nurses (AWHONN) is a nonprofit membership organization dedicated to improving the health of women and newborns and strengthening the nursing profession.

Key Issues

AWHONN’s Public Policy Committee helps guide the direction of the organization’s advocacy efforts. The committee develops and implements the 2024 Legislative Priorities for the association.

Download the 2024 Legislative Priorities.  For more information on AWHONN’s advocacy efforts, email advocacy@awhonn.org.

Help Protect Access to Abortion, visit our abortion advocacy resources page to learn more.

Take Action

  • Take action to Support Moms’ Mental Health
    This is Black Maternal Mental Health Week, July 19-25, which makes it a good time to encourage Congress to pass legislation to address the mental health of Black moms.

  • Moms Shouldn’t Die Giving Life
    Maternal morbidity and mortality rates remain remarkably high in the United States compared to other developed countries.

Upcoming Events

AWHONN on Capital Hill
April 28-29, 2025
Registration is now open for AWHONN’s annual public policy conference and lobby day to advance legislation to promote the health of women and newborns. Registration will close on March 26 at 6:00 ET or once capacity for the event has been reached.

AWHONN Legislative Town Hall – Recorded October 2022

Slides from the recorded event can be accessed here.

AWHONN regularly interacts with Members of Congress, their staff, and key agency officials. Find our communications to these important partners .

Can’t make it to Washington, DC? Consider scheduling a meeting with your legislators close to home. These tips will help you get started.

View the coalitions  that advocate for research, nursing education and better patient care.

Download the Legislative Handbook.

2023 Public Policy Committee

  • Urmeka Jefferson (Chair)
  • Sharon Mccoy (Immediate Past Chair)
  • Sally Keller
  • Jennifer Atkisson
  • Hollie Gentry
  • Juleen Johnson
  • Jacquelyn Svoboda
  • Gail Elliott
  • Jessica Phillips
  • Nancy Travis
  • Ellen Taylor
  • Rachel Sheehan
  • Gina Herron
  • Shelly Frisco
  • Jacquiline Blanco (Emerging Leader)

AWHONN Staff

  • Seth Chase (Primary Staff Liaison)
  • Ben Scheich
  • Sarah Perret-Goluboff