erhaps you have seen tiny orange and white buttons on your daily treks on the MTA. That’s because Christine Serdjenian Yearwood saw a need to raise awareness for pregnant women who use public transit, and so the UP-STAND movement was launched. BORO recently sat down with the mother and CEO to learn a little more about how these pins really work. BORO: Can you tell us a little about the nationwide movement you launched? Christine Serdjenian Yearwood: Absolutely. After having a child in 2014, I joined a handful of mom groups across the country, including Astoria-based MOMally. As new moms, we shared all types of experiences with one another, and one recurrent theme was the experience A Labor of pregnant women out in public spaces and on transportation. I listened to these horror stories women had about health complications from standing too long or carrying something too heavy, fainting from exhaustion or motion sickness, and being shoved in line or onto crowded trains. I realized that even as someone who shared those experiences while pregnant, I still hesitate to offer someone help or my seat because I’m afraid they might not actually be pregnant and I will offend them. So, I thought, what if people clearly knew who was pregnant, or who would be willing to stand up for them? I have witnessed such a great generosity of spirit between strangers when someone is aware of another person’s need and knows how they can help. And so, the of Love UP-STAND movement was born. Our awareness items allow for women make their pregnancies clear in order to take the guesswork out of it. In addition, the movement is unique in that, unlike campaigns in other countries where only pregnant women wear awareness items, we pay equal efforts to engage supporters who want to make themselves approachable— since lots of women aren’t ready to share their pregnancies publicly, and are hesitant to advocate for themselves because they feel dejected from prior bad experiences. Or, they simply don’t want to approach strangers who might have hidden disabilities or aren’t paying attention. By making pregnant women and their supporters clearly visible to one another, we aim to make public spaces and transportation safer for pregnant women. BORO: As pregnancy is something that isn’t always visible, what are some signs that might help people recognize an expecting mother? CSY: It’s so true. The Epoch Times recently ran an article that said that up to 90 percent of pregnant women have some degree of nausea or vomiting be- P 18 I BOROMAG.COM I february 2016 STORES
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