What's Happening?
Lehman College alumna Porshe Maysonet, a graduate of the CUNY Graduate Center’s Black, Race, and Ethnic Studies (BRES) master’s program, is dedicating her academic and professional efforts to addressing disparities in maternal healthcare for Black and brown
women. Maysonet's commitment stems from her own near-fatal childbirth experience, which occurred shortly after she completed her honors thesis on Black maternal mortality. This personal trauma transformed her research from an academic pursuit into a deeply personal mission. She is currently completing her capstone project, which investigates current initiatives aimed at combating maternal mortality to assess their effectiveness beyond superficial solutions. Maysonet's work aims to translate her findings into tangible policy changes, ensuring that the voices and experiences of Black and brown women are heard and acted upon in legislative and healthcare settings. Her capstone includes an autobiographical installation and a short documentary dramatizing her experience and presenting relevant data.
Why It's Important?
Maysonet's research is crucial because it directly confronts the systemic issues contributing to high Black maternal mortality rates in the U.S. Her work highlights the urgent need for policy changes and improved postnatal care to protect Black women, who face significantly higher risks during childbirth. By intertwining her lived experience with academic rigor, Maysonet brings a powerful, authentic voice to a critical public health crisis. Her efforts to publish her work and pursue a Ph.D. aim to equip her with the necessary tools and access to influence legislative bodies and healthcare systems. This initiative is vital for advocating for a more equitable healthcare system, potentially leading to the development of new laws and protocols that specifically address the unique challenges faced by Black and brown mothers, ultimately saving lives and improving health outcomes for families.
What's Next?
Porshe Maysonet plans to pursue a Ph.D. to further her expertise and gain access to influential circles where she can advocate for legislative changes. Her immediate next steps include completing her capstone project, which involves an autobiographical installation and a short documentary designed to raise awareness and present data on maternal mortality. She intends to publish her research findings to contribute to the academic discourse and inform policy discussions. Maysonet is determined to engage with legislative bodies, aiming for a 'legislative push' that would lead to new policies and improved postnatal care specifically for Black women. Her long-term goal is to dismantle systemic barriers within the healthcare system that disproportionately harm Black and brown mothers, indicating a sustained effort to drive significant, lasting change.
Beyond the Headlines
Maysonet's journey underscores the profound impact of personal experience on academic and advocacy pursuits, transforming individual trauma into a catalyst for systemic change. Her work delves into the ethical dimensions of healthcare disparities, questioning why certain demographic groups face higher risks and poorer outcomes. Legally, her advocacy points to the need for stronger protections and accountability within the medical system to address racial biases and ensure equitable care. Culturally, her efforts contribute to a broader movement demanding recognition and validation of the experiences of Black women in healthcare, challenging long-standing narratives and biases. This development could trigger long-term shifts in how medical institutions approach patient care, emphasizing cultural competency, patient-centered approaches, and a more proactive stance against systemic racism in medicine, potentially leading to a more just and equitable healthcare landscape for all.
