As the art exhibition “Call and Response: A Narrative of Reverence to our Foremothers in Gynecology” comes to a close at Countway Library, we invite you to celebrate the show’s impact with artists, organizers, and fellow community members.
This multimedia art exhibition, developed by the Resilient Sisterhood Project, sheds light on the exploitation of enslaved Black women in the origins of modern gynecology and its enduring implications for public health. Centering the lives of Anarcha, Betsey, and Lucy, three women subjected to repeated experimental surgeries by Dr. J. Marion Sims in the 1840s, the exhibition’s powerful narrative inspires us to unearth history, confront the present, and imagine a more just future for reproductive health.
We are committed to making this event accessible to all participants. The space is wheelchair accessible, microphones will be used for speakers, and assistive listening devices are available for use. Please reach out to countwayoutreach@hms.harvard.edu if you have any accessibility needs or questions.
Speaker Information
Jules Authur
Jules Arthur is a St. Louis–born visual artist based in New York City. A graduate of the School of Visual Arts, he trained at the Robert Blackburn Printmaking Workshop and continues studies at the Art Students League. His work, praised by The New York Times for its deft draftsmanship, explores the human form and lived experience.
Dr. Michele David
Dr. Michele David is a Haitian-born artist whose quilts weave African and Haitian traditions with themes of resilience, identity, and healing. She is also Chief of Clinical Quality and Safety at MIT Health. Her work has been shown nationally and internationally, including at the Museum of the National Center of Afro-American Artists and the New England Quilt Museum.
Dr. Yvonne Gomez-Carrion
Dr. Yvonne Gomez-Carrion is a board-certified OB/GYN who practiced for decades at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center. A Princeton and Columbia alum, she now focuses on community and medical education, advancing reproductive justice, health equity, and human-centered care for Black and Brown birthing people.
Michelle Hartney
Michelle Hartney is a Chicago-based artist and activist whose multidisciplinary work centers on reproductive justice, gender equity, and healthcare. Using fiber, ceramics, embroidery, and social practice, she addresses issues including maternal mortality, obstetric abuse, and gender-affirming care, creating spaces for public dialogue and advocacy.
Lilly Marcelin
Lilly Marcelin is a community activist and the Founder and Executive Director of the Resilient Sisterhood Project, which empowers women and young adults of African descent around reproductive health. A Wellesley and Tufts alum, she works in partnership with Black women to address systemic racism, health equity, and reproductive justice.
Dr. Rose Molina
Dr. Rose Molina is an OB/GYN and scholar-activist focused on language, immigration, and equity in maternal health. An Associate Professor at Harvard Medical School, she also cares for patients at The Dimock Center and Beth Israel Deaconess and leads multiple initiatives advancing health equity and inclusive care.
ⓘ Harvard Chan School hosts a diverse array of speakers, invited to share both scholarly research and personal perspectives. They do not speak for the School, and hosting them does not imply endorsement of their views, organizations, or employers.
