In Brownsville, Brooklyn, where rising food costs and limited access to fresh produce often make healthy eating a challenge, two sisters are rewriting the story of motherhood. For Tasheema and Vandeesha, first-time mothers navigating pregnancy together, the question was never just about feeding themselves. It was about nourishing their babies so they could grow and thrive.
Across the U.S., Black women face some of the highest maternal health risks, compounded by barriers to care and the stigma surrounding public assistance programs like WIC (Women, Infants, and Children). Yet, food access is not a luxury. It is a lifeline. Proper nutrition in the earliest months of life shapes brain development, strengthens immunity, and lays the foundation for lifelong health.
The sisters knew that, without support, the cost of formula, often more than $30 per can, and the challenge of breastfeeding could leave their children vulnerable. That’s when they turned to WIC through the Brownsville Partnership.
“WIC has made a tremendous impact on my eating habits,” said Vandeesha. “It helps me make conscious decisions about what I put into my body and has increased my fruit and vegetable intake,” she continued. For her baby, that means stronger nutrition from the very start. Tasheema adds, “With prices so high, this support eases the burden and helps me focus on what matters most – giving my little girl the best start possible.”
Their story is not just about survival. It’s about breaking cycles of disparity. Nearly 1 in 5 Black children lives in food-insecure households, placing them at greater risk for poor health outcomes. Research shows that sound nutrition in early childhood is one of the strongest predictors of lifelong health, reducing risks of chronic illness, and supporting cognitive development.
Through WIC, the sisters gained more than groceries. They gained peace of mind. They learned how to prepare balanced meals, discovered new ways to introduce fruits and vegetables into their children’s diets, and found confidence in knowing their babies were receiving the nutrients essential for growth.
Programs like the Mother Cabrini Health Foundation-funded WIC Uptake Improvement at the Brownsville Partnership are vital. They ensure that every child, regardless of race or income, has the same opportunity to grow up healthy, strong, and ready to learn.
Together, Tasheema and Vandeesha are showing their community that embracing support need not be a cause for embarrassment. It’s about survival, strength, and the promise of healthier generations to come.
