Ahead of Mother’s Day, California Surgeon General Partners with Chrissy Teigen and Girl Scouts of Greater Los Angeles to Support New Moms and Inspire Californians
Sacramento, CA – As part of the “One Small Thing” campaign, the Office of the California Surgeon General partnered with the Girl Scouts of Greater Los Angeles, alongside troop volunteer leader Chrissy Teigen, the California Commission on the Status of Women and Girls and the Los Angeles Black Infant Health Group, to support new moms in the Los Angeles community ahead of Mother’s Day.
California Surgeon General Dr. Diana Ramos led a discussion with a troop of Girl Scouts about the importance of maternal health and how everyday acts of care can help postpartum moms combat loneliness and isolation. The Girl Scouts then created coupon books and maternity care kits to distribute to local moms and members of the community.
“As a mom of four, I understand how overwhelming yet joyous the transition to motherhood can be,” said First Partner Jennifer Siebel Newsom. “It’s crucial to raise awareness early about the impact that being a new mom can have on our health, and it’s inspiring to see Girl Scouts learning about how it only takes ‘One Small Thing’ – from dropping off supplies to sending a card – to make a meaningful difference in supporting moms and strengthening our communities.”
“Being a Girl Scouts Troop Volunteer has shown me how powerful it is when young people are taught to care for their communities,” said Chrissy Teigen. “Bringing One Small Thing to Luna’s troop was meaningful, because it gave the girls a chance to learn how small acts of kindness can make a real difference for new moms. Supporting moms shouldn’t fall on moms alone, it’s something all of us can step into, and it starts with moments like this.”
“Community service and prioritizing mental health are core to what Girl Scouting is all about,” said Theresa Edy Kiene, CEO of Girl Scouts of Greater Los Angeles. “So, I am especially excited to collaborate with this esteemed group to help educate our girls and all the adults who support them about how small acts of kindness can make such a big difference in a new mom’s journey.”
Simple acts of service can provide meaningful connection, comfort, and care to new mothers in postpartum. This effort underscores a shared commitment to community and compassion, showing that Californians of all ages can help new moms during one of the most vulnerable periods of their lives.
Support New Moms Today and Every Day
In honor of Mother’s Day, Dr. Ramos is encouraging everyone to do one small thing for a new mom like these young, inspiring leaders. Supporting moms before, during— and especially after pregnancy—is essential to the well-being of children, families, and our state.
“Mother’s Day is an opportunity to celebrate and thank all mothers and all those who have served as maternal figures in our lives,” said California Surgeon General Dr. Diana Ramos. “It is also a reminder that the small acts of love and support can make a lasting difference for the women who so often give so much of themselves to others. Today, and every day, let’s do One Small Thing for the moms in our lives: visit them, send a meal, make a phone call, or simply send a text to say, ‘I love you.’ These simple acts of connection and kindness can have a powerful impact and remind every mother that she is seen, valued, and supported.”
Why It Matters
The postpartum period, or the year after childbirth, is one of the most vulnerable and isolating times for mothers. In California, more than 60% of pregnancy-related deaths occur after hospital discharge, when medical visits taper off and social support often falls away. Research shows that loneliness and perceived isolation are among the strongest predictors of postpartum depression, anxiety, and crisis. Social support from families, friends, neighbors, and faith-based communities can help new parents feel less isolated and alone.
“The One Small Thing campaign reminds us that helping new mothers truly takes a village,” said Executive Director Darcy Totten, California Commission on the Status of Women and Girls. “Too often, the invisible labor that keeps families running, especially caregiving and household work, falls disproportionately on women, adding another layer of stress to new mothers. When spouses, partners, family members, and friends willingly step up and redistribute responsibilities more evenly, it not only strengthens families but also helps new mothers to be supported, valued, and seen. Every act of help, no matter how small, moves us closer to a culture where care and domestic work is shared equally.”
How Californians Can Participate
- Pledge your support and do one small thing for a new mom in your life or community.
- Share a coupon book with your loved one to show the many ways you can support them during postpartum.
- Post your “one small thing” on social media using the hashtags #OneSmallThing, #StrongStartAndBeyond, and #MaternalHealth.
- Invite others to support a new mom, including your family, friends, neighbors, workplaces, and community groups.
About the Campaign
“One Small Thing” is a community-driven initiative that started on social media in December 2025 to encourage everyone to support a new mom through one meaningful act of care. Simple, everyday gestures, such as delivering a nutritious meal, babysitting for an hour, doing laundry or simply checking in, can make a difference in a new mom’s life by reducing postpartum isolation, providing comfort, and connecting moms to the support and medical care they may need.
Bigger Picture
The Office of the California Surgeon General launched the Strong Start & Beyond movement to reduce maternal mortality, educate and empower individuals of reproductive age and save the lives of moms and pregnant people in California. Although California has the lowest maternal mortality rate in the nation, the movement builds on other statewide efforts, including the First Partner, the California Department of Public Health and the California Department of Health Care Services, to continue improving reproductive and maternal health outcomes across the state.
###