By Vicky Wang, communications intern

A panel discussion titled Healthy Mothers, Healthy Societies, co-sponsored by Harris College’s Department of Social Work, was held Sept. 4 in the BLUU and focused on the importance of maternal health around the world. The event featured Rep. Kay Granger as the keynote speaker, with panel guests Michael Gerson, Washington Post columnist, Dr. Dowyin Oluwole, of the George W. Bush Institute and Shannon Trilli of the United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR).

The event had its genesis last year when Karen Kelly, district chair for CARE (a leading humanitarian organization fighting global poverty) Action Network, spoke to students in Tracy Dietz’s Intro to Social Work Class about the importance of advocacy. Kelly told the class about her travels to Peru with Rep. Granger, explaining that she saw firsthand the work CARE (a nonprofit organization that fights global poverty with an emphasis on women) performed in Peru to reduce the percentage of maternal deaths by half in four years. Hundreds of Peruvian women die each year because they don’t have access to adequate health services. Peru has one of the highest maternal mortality rates even though it is a middle-income country.

Kelly explained the detrimental effects of maternal death for Peruvian women and how their loss of earnings can create a debt burden for their families. Mothers are the glue to the family; when the mother dies, statistics show children are more likely to die before their second birthday because they will not receive proper nutrition, go to school nor receive necessary immunizations.

Kelly encouraged Dietz’s students to write letters to Rep. Granger asking her to help the women in Peru, and the response was impressive. Eighty-six students wrote letters expressing their concern about maternal deaths, and asked for more funds to be allocated to increase healthy childbirths in other countries. Granger responded and preparations for the Healthy Mothers, Healthy Societies event began as a result of this student body initiative.

As a leader in global health care, the United States has an opportunity to help developing countries reduce the rate of maternal deaths for women. As the Chairwoman for the House Subcommittee on State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs, Granger advocates for foreign affairs, especially for women and children. Currently only 1 percent of our national budget funds international relations.

In her keynote presentation, Granger spoke about her experience in Peru and the dangerous maternal health epidemic. Peruvian mothers are three times more likely to die during pregnancy than those in the United States.

Madison Slusher, a senior nursing major said, “I was really impressed with CARE, and I am glad to know there is an organization out there that’s focused on the condition of women’s health during childbirth in other countries.” Slusher was pleased to learn CARE focuses on maternal health and coordinates with the United Methodist Church to make an impact around the world.

While it’s not necessary to be a social worker to advocate for a cause, Dietz, associate professor of social work, said, “As nurses and social workers, it’s our professional and personal responsibility to make a difference in the world.