The historic South Carolina Society Hall recently hosted the “Waves of Resilience: A Lowcountry Brunch & Leadership Forum for Maternal Justice,” an event organized by the Birthright Collaborative and The Health Equilibrium Group. Spearheaded by Jennifer Rutledge Pettie (pictured), JD, MPH, the forum convened 17 cross-sector leaders to address the maternal mortality crisis and explore pathways to improved outcomes.
Pettie, deeply connected to the Lowcountry through her lineage—grandfather James Rutledge of Charleston and Pawleys Island, and great-grandmother Lula Hanibal Scarborough, a midwife trained at the Penn School in St. Helena—remarked, “The Lowcountry is not just my heritage; it is my foundation. This event honored the region’s legacy while building momentum for maternal justice.”
With the U.S. maternal mortality rate at 32.9 deaths per 100,000 live births, disproportionately affecting Black women, the forum addressed pressing challenges. Esteemed speakers, including Dr. Tamara Butler of the Avery Research Center, Representative Kambrell Garvin, Esq. of the South Carolina House of Representatives, Dr. Aundrea Loftley of MUSC, Dr. Delisa Brown of MUSC, Dr. Fredanna McGough of Coastal Carolina University, and Tameka Walker, owner of Energy Evolution LLC, emphasized the necessity for community-driven solutions, policy reform, and advocacy.
Event Highlights
The forum seamlessly blended cultural celebration with solution-focused advocacy, featuring: Panel Discussions and Roundtables: Deliberations on maternal health equity and actionable strategies. Policy Brainstorm, Storytelling, and Legacy Commitment: Amplification of personal narratives and a unified commitment to the mission.
Cultural Integration: Lowcountry-inspired cuisine by Chef Alexis Mungin and evocative artworks by Gullah artist Samantha CLAAR underscored the region’s rich heritage while reinforcing the forum’s mission.
The proceedings were professionally documented by Ninety 7 Frames, ensuring the forum's impact extends beyond the Lowcountry.
Additional Stakeholders
The gathering was enriched by the contributions of cross-sector leaders, including:
- Reverend Dr. Betty Deas Clark – Pastor; Global Strategist; First Female Pastor of Mother Emanuel AME Church Jaquon Irby, Esq. – Assistant Solicitor, First Judicial Circuit
- Tiffany Johnson, MSW – Senior Manager, Youth & Resiliency Programs, United Way of the Midlands Raquel Jordan – Certified Doula
- Angela Porow – Strategic Marketing Lead, Pace Communications
- Marc Porow – Clergy and Community Leader
- Jason Pettie, Esq. – Bankruptcy Attorney; U.S. Bankruptcy Trustee; Partner, Taylor English Duma LLP Willie Walker – Certified Doula, Energy Evolution LLC
A Call to Action
South Carolina confronts some of the nation's highest maternal mortality rates, exacerbated by systemic obstacles such as limited access to care and provider awareness gaps. Pettie emphasized, “This forum was about building a movement. Together, we can confront these challenges and drive meaningful change for mothers and families.”
Future Initiatives
Building on the momentum of the forum, Pettie is producing a documentary set for release in 2025. This project will delve deeper into themes addressed during the event, highlighting impactful stories and exploring solutions to systemic challenges in maternal health. An official trailer is anticipated for December 2024, providing an early look at this powerful narrative.
