Stillbirth, A Worst Perfect Storm with Liz O'Donnell

Grief Trails

Elizabeth “Liz” O’Donnell is a steadfast infant loss advocate leading the charge in raising awareness and prevention of stillbirth and infant mortality. Her daughter, Aaliyah, was born still in 2020. Today, she runs a one-woman non-profit keeping her daughter’s spirit alive, supporting mothers and families across the country who experience the pain of losing a baby and advocating for legislation that could reduce the number of U.S. stillbirths.

Liz is also a Director of Awareness for PUSH for Empowered Pregnancy, a grassroots initiative that advocates for evidence-based, respectful, and equitable maternity care. Prior to her advocacy work, Liz was a dedicated D.C. Public Schools elementary math and science school teacher for 7 years.

In 2020, Liz was sent home from the hospital with only her daughter's footprints and baby blanket.. When her employer revoked her paid leave for her recovery, she shared her experience on social media in a post that went viral and launched her advocacy. Later, in 2021, the DC paid family leave legislation was amended to include stillbirth.

Inspired by an outpouring of support and motivated to keep her daughter’s spirit alive, Liz started Aaliyah in Action (AiA). The non-profit supports women and families following perinatal, neonatal or infant loss with self-care packages and bereavement support books. Liz has partnered with 50+ hospitals around the country (and counting) to provide curated self-care packages. More than 1,500 families have received AiA support packages in 40 states, Canada, Jamaica and the UK. AiA boxes contain items sourced from women and Black-owned businesses, the community her daughter would have been a part of.

A positive, energetic force who excels at community building, connection and empathy, Liz earned both a B.A. in Sociology and Psychology and an M.Ed in Elementary Education from The George Washington University. She lives in DC and is currently pursuing her Masters in Public Health back at GW.

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