Rep. Alma Adams to Hold Annual Women’s Symposium on Thursday, March 19
February 21, 2020
Charlotte – The office of Congresswoman Alma S. Adams, Ph.D. (D-NC) will hold its Annual Women's Symposium at 5:30 PM on Thursday, March 19 in the Grimes Lounge on the campus of Johnson C. Smith University. This year's Symposium will focus on the health of America's mothers and babies, solutions for greater access to quality health care for mothers and infants, and what it will take to address the disparities in maternal health outcomes for black women.
"100 years after winning the right to vote, women continue to fight for equal representation, respect, and rights. When it comes to Black maternal health, many women unexpectedly end up in the fight of their lives" said Congresswoman Adams. "Our 5th annual Women's Symposium will address critical issues facing women, mothers, and children. Women are leaders in our communities regardless of sex, but we can't forget that we still face critical issues that only women can solve."
WHAT: Women's Symposium on the Health of America's Moms and Babies
HOST: Congresswoman Alma Adams
WHEN: March 19, 2020, 5:30 pm – 8:00 pm
WHERE: Johnson C. Smith University, Grimes Lounge (2nd Floor, Crisp Student Union) 100 Beatties Ford Road
Charlotte, NC 28216
WHO: Confirmed panelists include Dr. Octavia Cannon (OB/GYN), Leslie Ware (Physician Assistant), Ms. Reia Chapman (Founder, Director of Clinical Services), Rebecca Ruhlen (Professor), Kelle Pressley (MomsRising). Other guests are pending confirmation.
Additionally, Congresswoman Adams will be on hand to speak about congressional priorities and legislation regarding maternal health, and a resource fair featuring local organizations will run throughout the symposium.
Constituents who wish to attend can RSVP online here: https://repadams-womenssymposium.eventbrite.com. Members of the media who wish to cover the event can RSVP to sam.spencer@mail.house.gov.
The Women's Symposium is an annual event hosted by the office of Congresswoman Alma Adams. Previous guests include House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, Natalie Williams, Astrid Chirinos, Jess George, Dr. Jessica Schorr Saxe, and many others. This year's symposium will focus on health for all women, and mothers and future mothers from all backgrounds are especially encouraged to attend.
Congresswoman Adams is a mother and grandmother, and last April she launched the Black Maternal Health Caucus with Rep. Lauren Underwood to raise awareness within Congress to establish Black maternal health as a national priority, and explore and advocate for effective, evidence-based, culturally-competent policies and best practices for health outcomes for Black mothers. The Black Maternal Health Caucus aims to ensure that Black women and infants have the rights, respect, and resources to thrive before, during, and after pregnancy.
The United States has the worst maternal health outcomes in the developed world, at 17.4 deaths per 100,000 live births. The maternal mortality rate is alarmingly higher among black women, at 37.1 deaths per 100,000 live births. Black women are nearly three times more likely than white women – and more than twice as likely as women of other races – to die from preventable, pregnancy-related complications. Additionally, Black women are twice as likely to lose an infant to premature death. The disparities in America's health system have not improved for more than 30 years.
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Issues:Health Care