Courtesy of Assemblymember Phara Souffrant Forrest
For Brooklyn Assemblymember Phara Souffrant Forrest, caring for women and families goes hand in hand with her work in Albany. Assemblymember Forrest is also a registered nurse with a track record of supporting and advocating for maternal health. She supports reproductive justice and health care equity to champion the issues that impact New York families every day.
Now, she’s expecting her second child.
We sat down with the Brooklyn Assemblymember to talk about this exciting new chapter, her hopes for motherhood, and how her pregnancy is shaping the work she does for families across New York and how with the expansion of her family she is ready to ask for help.
You have spent much of your career advocating for maternal health, and now you are entering this world personally. What has this moment been like for you?
I’ve been a maternal health nurse, helping patients deliver. Now I will be a patient in a few weeks, undergoing the same things I tell others to do. Even though I’m already a mom, it’s been surreal to be on the other end again, and I am so excited for the next step in this journey.
You experienced maternal health through your work as a nurse and advocate. Has being on the other side of the experience changed the way you think about the healthcare system?
A big reason I ran for office was to address the needs of my patients that went beyond the healthcare system. It’s not just hospital funding and staffing ratios; it’s also housing, jobs, and education. The unequal distribution of resources in our society touches everyone, especially mothers. We have to reform the system, and I will continue to do that through lawmaking and advocacy.
You have a demanding career in public service. What are you thinking about when it comes to balancing this next chapter with your work?
This isn’t my first rodeo, but two will be something else entirely! I’ve learned from my son that you can’t be scared to ask for help. When I swallow my pride and let my village in, I can ace every test motherhood throws at me. So this time around, I’m taking the help from friends and family. Luckily, I have an amazing staff and support network that will hold down the fort and help me with work and family. My children go everywhere with me, from Albany to Brooklyn, and they constantly remind my colleagues and constituents why I do this work.
You grew up in Brooklyn as the daughter of Haitian immigrants. Are there traditions, values, or lessons from your own upbringing that you hope to bring into your family?
In my home, “lekol, lakay, legliz” (school, home, church) was etched into our brains from a young age. While I plan to have more balance in my household as to the different activities my children engage in, I did value the structure I was given. I also want to impress on my family the importance of speaking up and fighting for what’s right. My mom and stepdad always coupled their lessons with a work ethic of hope in the future, and I want to make sure my children understand they have the responsibility to fight for a better world.
Have you started imagining how you will parent as a mother of two?
Yes! I am already a bit of a hover parent, but I’m working on backing up more as my oldest grows bigger and more independent. With the birth of my new child, I want to be more relaxed and focused on the daily wins. I want to be more mindful of the experiences I am able to curate for both children.
And as you prepare for this next chapter, what are you most looking forward to?
I’m looking forward to honestly being more present with the children. I learned that I don’t have to be ashamed to breastfeed at a community meeting or show up with a 5 year old who’s had too much Capri Sun. The more I show up as a mom in action, the more it encourages other parents that they have permission to show up too in the ways that meet their family needs.
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