Liz Friedman, MFA, Program Director & Founder, Postpartum Support Initiative

Liz became a mother in 2002 and experienced a severe postpartum emotional crisis. Liz founded the Postpartum Support Initiative of MotherWoman in 2004, and with Annette Cycon, transformed the MotherWoman Support Group Model into a powerful tool for mothers with postpartum emotional complications. Annette and Liz developed the MotherWoman Facilitator Training to train professionals and layleaders in how to run successful MotherWoman groups. 

Through the Postpartum Support Initiative, Liz has led the Western Massachusetts Pregnancy and Postpartum Support Coalition which is committed to creating a comprehensive safety net for all mothers experiencing, or at risk of experiencing, perinatal emotional complications. 

Liz was instrumental in bringing the issue of postpartum depression to Representative Ellen Story(MA State House, Amherst) and was invited to join in drafting Postpartum Legislation in MA. Liz was an outspoken advocate on behalf of this legislation and in August 2010, the PPD Legislation was signed into law.

Liz is Western Massachusetts Coordinator for Postpartum Support International. 

Lizis a poet and performance artist and has a Masters in Fine Arts from Bard College and her Bachelors degree from the State University of New York at Binghamton. Additionally, she attended the Social Justice Education program at University of Massachusetts at Amherst. Liz has a wonderful hubbie who cheers her on and two delightful children.