Emily Anesta, is a passionate advocate for maternal health and justice, especially access to midwifery care. She co-founded and leads the Bay State Birth Coalition, organizing statewide advocacy for legislation to expand access to midwives and community birth options such as birth centers and home births. After years of advocacy, this effort culminated in the passage of the landmark Midwifery and Maternal Health Omnibus Law in August 2024. This "Momnibus" package of legislation, H.4999, "An Act promoting access to midwifery care and out-of-hospital birth options," was passed unanimously by the Massachusetts House and Senate before being signed into law by Governor Maura Healey in August. This bill advances many of the recommendations of the statewide Commission on Racial Inequities in Maternal Health in their 2022 final report, bringing us closer to eliminating structural racism and achieving healthy outcomes for everyone. With this new law in place, more families will have access to the option of receiving care from a midwife, of a home birth, or a birth center in their community. Bay State Birth Coalition's model of advocacy is based on grassroots organizing and coalition-building, convening over two dozen organizations and engaging thousands of birthing people, families, and supporters across the state to share the message: Midwives Save Lives. Emily also proudly serves on the steering committee of Birth Equity and Justice Massachusetts (BEJMA), and she is board president of Birth Future Foundation (BFF), a national midwifery grantmaking organization. Previously, Emily served as a board member and then president of the Foundation for the Advancement of Midwifery, and was an Executive Producer of the 2016 documentary “Why Not Home.” Prior to becoming a birth justice advocate, Emily led technology research and development projects for over a decade at MIT and holds an MS and BS in Electrical and Computer Engineering. Emily birthed her two children at home, attended by midwives, and was herself born at home with a midwife. These experiences with midwifery care inspired her to join the movement to improve maternal care.