RVC-to-Host-Black-Maternal-Health-Week-Events-and-Birthing-Justice-Screening.php

RVC to Host Black Maternal Health Week Events and 'Birthing Justice' Screening

  • Event
  • 04/07/2025

Rock Valley College (RVC) is participating in Black Maternal Health Week (April 11-17) by hosting a series of events aimed at raising awareness of racial disparities in maternal health and advocating for change.

 

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RVC will host 'Birthing Justice' Screening and a Panel Discussion for Black Maternal Health Week on April 14 & 15

In conjunction with this important week, the documentary "Birthing Justice" will be screened on campus, capturing the experiences and challenges of Black women, their families, caretakers, and advocates. The film explores personal pregnancy and birth stories while addressing the disparate rates of mortality during childbirth.

The Birthing Justice screenings and panel discussion will take place on RVC’s main campus. Screenings will be held in Building CLI, Room 1252, on Monday, April 14, from 1:30–3 PM and 5–6:30 PM, as well as on Tuesday, April 15, from 4–5 PM.

Following the final screening on April 15, a panel discussion featuring local, regional, and national healthcare experts will be held on Tuesday, April 15, from 6–8 PM in the ERC Performing Arts Center.

Featured Panelists:

  • Lauren Underwood – U.S. Representative (IL-14) & Registered Nurse
  • Teresa Barnes, PhD, LCSW – Clinical Psychotherapist
  • Tombi Smith, DNP, APRN, FNP-BC – Nurse Practitioner & RVC Associate Professor of Nursing
  • Abigail Suleman, MPH – Black Maternal Health Research Manager

Why This Matters

Maternal and infant mortality rates in the U.S. continue to rise, disproportionately affecting Black women and infants. Key statistics underscore the urgency of addressing these disparities:

  • Maternal mortality has increased over the past 30 years, with 92% of deaths preventable.
  • Black women are 3 to 4 times more likely to die during childbirth than white women.
  • Black infants die at 2 to 3 times the rate of white infants, and Black mothers experience stillbirths at twice the rate of white mothers.
  • Disparities persist across socioeconomic and educational levels and have been linked to systemic racism, bias in healthcare, chronic conditions, and toxic stress.
  • Black newborns cared for by Black doctors have significantly lower mortality rates.

Rock Valley College invites students, faculty, healthcare professionals, and community members to engage in this important discussion.  Register for the panel discussion here.

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