Two Decades of Advocacy for Maternal and Infant Health

Meet Daily Point of Light Award honoree Amanda Braverman-Brohn. Read her story, and nominate an outstanding volunteer or family as a Daily Point of Light. 

For nearly two decades, Amanda Braverman-Brohn has volunteered as an advocate for maternal and infant health. After a life-threatening moment when her own son was in utero, she has dedicated herself to fetal movement education and stillbirth prevention so that other families can receive the support and information they deserve. Seeing the gaps that still exist in education and access to resources, Amanda founded the Moving Forward Foundation, an organization dedicated to education and advocacy through evidence-based programs, professional education, and community collaboration.  

Amanda’s dedication to her community runs deep. In addition to her advocacy, she has volunteered as a coach for Girls on the Run for almost 10 seasons, committing her time to developing the confidence, leadership, and lifelong healthy habits of more than 100 girls. As a musician and former music teacher, she regularly supports local arts initiatives as well. And with five kids, she can often be found helping out local school service initiatives.  

Read on to learn more about Amanda’s inspiring volunteer journey.   

What inspired you to get started as a maternal and infant health advocate? 

I initially started volunteering with an organization that teaches pregnant people how to track fetal movement so they can learn the unique movement patterns of their child. By learning to track fetal movement and recognize their child’s unique movement pattern, parents can notify their provider and be seen right away when there’s a change. This saves lives. During my own pregnancy, I noticed a significant change to my baby’s movements, spoke up, and my medical team took immediate action. My baby had a stroke in utero and were born via emergency C-section. He was resuscitated in the operating room. A member of our community connected me with the organization, and I began volunteering in 2008.

Tell us about your volunteer roles. 

Volunteering has been one of the most meaningful parts of my life. Over the past two decades, I’ve dedicated thousands of hours to serving my community through organizations focused on maternal and infant health, youth development, education, and community leadership. I have supported maternal health and stillbirth prevention, helping educate families and healthcare professionals about methods to prevent some stillbirths; served with organizations like Girls on the Run; supported local schools, libraries, Rotary Clubs, and other community initiatives; and today volunteer as the founder of the Moving Forward Foundation, where I work to expand education, advocacy, and support for families, healthcare professionals, and volunteers of this mission.  

I believe our communities are stronger when people share their unique gifts. Every volunteer brings something valuable—whether it’s professional expertise, lived experience, creativity, compassion, or simply a willingness to help. When we each use our talents to serve others, we strengthen our communities and create a lasting impact together. 

What are your long-term plans or goals for the Moving Forward Foundation? 

My long-term vision for the Moving Forward Foundation is to become a trusted resource for maternal health education, advocacy, and support. We are developing accredited continuing education programs for healthcare professionals, expanding community outreach initiatives, and building partnerships that improve maternal and infant health outcomes. I also hope to create opportunities for volunteers to be supported to use their unique talents and experiences to educate, advocate, and guide families, ensuring that every community has access to evidence-based resources that can make a difference. 

What’s been the most rewarding part of your work? 

The most rewarding thing is hearing about families that have been saved, that this made a difference. It gives me goosebumps, even to say it out loud. 

With Girls on the Run, I have third through fifth graders, so I get to see them participate in running programs as middle or high schoolers or become leaders on Student Council or as their band board president. It’s so cool to see them continue to use those skills in the school community. 

Any advice for people who want to start volunteering? 

Find something that matters to you personally. When you care about the mission, it doesn’t feel like “one more thing.” It feels meaningful. 

What have you learned through your experiences as a volunteer? 

Volunteering has taught me that meaningful change happens when people come together with a shared purpose. I’ve learned that listening with compassion, building relationships, and working collaboratively often have a greater impact than any one person could achieve alone. Every experience has reinforced my belief that education empowers people, service strengthens communities, and even the smallest act of kindness can create a ripple effect that changes lives. Those lessons continue to guide both my volunteer work and the mission of the Moving Forward Foundation.

Do you want to make a difference in your community like Amanda? Find local volunteer opportunities.