Library News

"Laboring with Hope" Black maternal health documentary screening and discussion

Free screening of "Laboring With Hope" documentary followed by discussion - in the Library on Monday, April 29 from 5:30-6:30. Refreshments provided!

"In the last two decades, Nakeitra Burse has lost three family members to pregnancy-related deaths — her aunt, sister-in-law and newborn nephew. Fed up with living through the grief without seeing change, she decided to take the narrative into her own — and her community’s — hands and produced a documentary about what it means to be a black woman giving birth in Mississippi. The outcome is a candid, deeply felt profile of community support, grief, fear, and ultimately, hope."

Join us for a viewing & discussion of Laboring with Hope, a 30-minute documentary that addresses the national maternal mortality crisis among Black women. Come learn about maternal health disparities in the United States and find out about reliable health information.

When: Monday, April 29, 5:30-6:30 pm
Where: Saint Mary’s College Library

After the film, SMC student LaReina Torres will facilitate a discussion of themes in the film. LaReina is a History and Chemistry double-major who is conducting an independent student research project on the historical factors affecting the rise and fall of maternal mortality rates in the United States.

This event is free and open to everyone.

Thanks to the Network of the National Library of Medicine (NNLM) for access to this free documentary screening opportunity, in support of Black Maternal Health Week.

Description from NNLM:
Going through pregnancy and delivery should be a joyful time and a safe experience. However, for many women of color this is often not the case. Black women have higher rates of complications, and according to the CDC, are three times more likely to die from pregnancy-related causes than White women.

Laboring with Hope combines personal stories and expert perspectives to provide a call to action to implement, support, and uplift strategies to improve maternal health and birth outcomes. More information about Laboring with Hope, including a trailer, is available from the producer.

We hope to see you there,
Margot Hanson, LaReina Torres, Ayanna Boben