Black mothers face a crisis. They die from pregnancy complications at three times the rate of white women. Attia Taylor, founder of Womanly magazine, is fighting back—using art, fashion, and radical community care.
For eight years, her indie publication has blended health education with vibrant creativity. It’s more than a magazine. It’s a lifeline.
How Womanly Magazine Disrupts Black Maternal Health Disparities
Black women often enter hospitals hoping for the best but bracing for neglect. “When we go to the doctor, we’re like, I’m sure I’ll be fine,” Taylor says. “But hospital systems that serve lower-income folks get the shorter end of the stick.”
Her solution? Replace cold medical jargon with art. Womanly covers everything from doula advocacy to sustainable fashion. The goal is simple—make health information engaging, accessible, and empowering.
Art as Medicine: How Womanly Makes Health Care Approachable
Taylor, a musician and artist, never planned to start a health magazine. But working at Planned Parenthood opened her eyes. She noticed how people connected more with period art than sterile medical charts.
“Between art and health, there’s more than one way people experience care,” she explains. Womanly now uses billboards, films, and even fashion shows to teach Black women how to protect themselves.
Sustainable Fashion as a Tool for Black Women’s Wellness
Toxic beauty standards harm Black women. Chemicals in hair relaxers and synthetic fabrics have been linked to cancer. Taylor’s team investigates safer alternatives, like plant-based wigs and eco-friendly underwear.
Some of her favorite brands include:
- Kynd (Black-owned sustainable hair)
- Oddobody (organic cotton underwear)
- Barkal (Sudanese leather shoes)
“We should know what we’re putting on our bodies,” Taylor insists. “Nobody else will do that research for us.”
The Future of Womanly: Films, Billboards, and Global Advocacy
Taylor’s next moves? More films, more billboards, and a special issue on grief with activist Rachel Cargle. She also wants to tackle Black maternal health globally, where women in Africa and the Middle East face similar neglect.
“This work feels too big to give up,” she says. For Black mothers, Womanly isn’t just a magazine—it’s a movement.
