This past week five County Council Members voted against a procedure change that would not only allow for all Council members with extreme health circumstances for themselves or their loved ones to still have the option to vote and continue to represent their residents virtually on county issues as was the practice during COVID, but also would allow the county first pregnant council member to vote and represent her district virtually while she is on maternity leave. At Large Council Member Hawkins stated he was voting against the measure to "Break up the power block" and that District 7 Council Member Oriadha was "playing the victim" despite being well aware of her high-risk pregnancy. Council Women Ingrid Watson of District 4 and Wanika Fisher of District 2 also voted against this change with Council Member Fisher referencing her time in the Maryland General Assembly when a pregnant female colleague of hers came to work in crutches- implying that the health of Black Mothers should come second to their jobs. The Policy change would have not only provided a reasonable accommodation to Council Woman Oriadha so she can continue her work on the council but also took into account the personal family issues of her colleagues on the other side of this issue and was designed to support all members of council by allowing them the ability and choice to continue to represent their constituents even in the most difficult of times. At Large members Calvin Hawkins and Mel Franklin along with Sydney Harrison of District 9 and Councilwomen Wanika Fisher and Ingrid Harrison Watson clearly choose a stance against supporting women, mother, families, and their constituents. They went against good governance in allowing for their colleagues to still represent their district even under extreme circumstances. We cannot let mothers be treated like this in office or anywhere.  We will not set a standard in Prince George's that mothers will not be supported or heard.