Arkansas has the highest maternal mortality rate in the U.S. It’s a statistic no one wants to hear, but everyone should be talking about.
On Wednesday, April 26, the Arkansas Cinema Society will team up with Every Mother Counts to host a debut screening of the next installment of EMC’s “Giving Birth in America” short film series. “Giving Birth in America: Arkansas” tells the stories of three Arkansas moms navigating physical, emotional and systematic challenges in their postpartum journeys.
EMC is a nonprofit dedicated to “[making] pregnancy and childbirth safe, equitable and respectful for every mother, everywhere,” and was established in 2010 by model-turned-maternal health advocate Christy Turlington Burns after experiencing her own childbirth complications.
“As part of Every Mother Counts’ mission, we’ve leveraged storytelling to highlight the maternal health crisis in the U.S.,” Turlington Burns says. “Using short films focusing on different states, we’ve given mothers, providers and advocates a platform to share their stories.
“Since Arkansas has the highest maternal mortality rate in the country, we knew it was essential to highlight this state’s maternal health crisis. I hope these stories encourage individuals to join the movement for maternal health and safe, equitable childbirth.”
The premiere will take place at the Capital Hotel in the Baxter Room, beginning with a reception at 5:30 p.m. and opening remarks from Turlington Burns. Following the 20-minute screening will be a Q&A session with area experts William Greenfield, professor of obstetrics and gynecology at UAMS; Zenobia Harris, executive director of the Arkansas Birthing Project; and Sarita Hendrix, co-founder of Ujima Maternity Network.
The evening’s events are free to attend, but registration is required. Click here to sign up.
Giving Birth in America: Arkansas | Trailer from Every Mother Counts on Vimeo.