State of the Womb Mosaic Finds a Home at Morgan State

A Living Tribute to Maternal Health, Community, and Collective Voice

Morgan State University’s School of Community Health and Policy (SCHP) is now home to a powerful community art installation embodying the voices, experiences and aspirations of Baltimore families while advancing awareness of maternal and infant health. Unveiled and formally accepted by the University earlier this year, the mixed-media mosaic emerged from a collaborative effort initiated during the “State of the Womb” event last October in partnership with the Baltimore City Women’s Commission, the Office of Equity and Civil Rights (OECR), and Empact Art.

The Baltimore City Women’s Commission is led by Chair Kionne Abdul-Malik and Chief Jill Muth, under the direction of Amber Greene, director of the Office of Equity and Civil Rights. The initiative was spearheaded by Ana Rodney, policy lead for the Baltimore City Women’s Commission and a Morgan State alumna whose leadership and vision were instrumental in bringing the project to life. Her commitment to centering community voices, storytelling and maternal health advocacy guided the effort from concept to completion.

Kesha Baptiste-Roberts, Ph.D., M.P.H., and Marilyn Berchie-Gialamas, DNP, CRNP, NP-C, the leadership team of the Morgan State University Center for Maternal and Family Health (CMAFH), represented Morgan in this collaborative effort. The initiative strongly aligns with the Center’s broader commitment to advancing maternal and child health through research, education, community engagement, and partnerships that center the voices, experiences, and priorities of families. 

The State of the Womb event was designed to elevate the importance of maternal and infant health by creating a space for community dialogue, creative expression, and policy engagement. What emerged from that gathering was more than conversation; it was the establishment of policy priorities and the creation of art. Over the following months, community members, including one of our DrPH students and her family, came together to shape and build this remarkable piece.

The mosaic reflects the contributions of more than 120 women. Each element was formed by hand, shaped in clay, glazed and finished with care. Every piece carries at least two—and often several—human touches, making the artwork a deeply layered symbol of shared experience. Through countless hands, hearts and stories, themes of birth, dignity, safety and joy are embedded throughout the mosaic.

The project was further brought to life by Empact Art co-founders Ali Mirsky and Danyett Tucker, a Morgan State alumna, whose artistic guidance helped translate the collective vision into a lasting work. The unveiling also featured recorded messages from Maryland First Lady Dawn Moore and Baltimore First Lady Hannah P. Scott, both recognizing the significance of the work in advancing maternal health awareness and advocacy.

SCHP also welcomed Baltimore City Councilwoman Phylicia Porter, a graduate of Morgan’s M.P.H. program, and Maryland Delegate Stephanie M. Smith, Esq. Their presence underscored the full-circle impact of the University, where students are prepared not only to learn but to lead, advocate and transform their communities. Morgan alumni serving in positions of leadership and championing issues connected to their academic preparation offer a powerful testament to the University’s mission.

The artwork stands as a collective commitment to improving maternal and infant health outcomes across Baltimore City and beyond. It is both a reminder of how far communities have come and a symbol of what is possible when community, scholarship and lived experience intersect.

Importantly, the installation is “touchable art.” Members of the community are encouraged to engage with the piece and “rub her belly” for good luck, making it not only a visual tribute but also an interactive and enduring source of connection.

In this way, the mosaic becomes more than an installation. It is a living narrative, one shaped by us, for us, honoring the sacredness of birth and the strength of community voices, now and for generations to come.

This collaborative effort exemplifies Morgan’s standing as an anchor institution and the university’s commitment to leveraging scholarship, partnerships and community voice to address issues that matter most to the people and communities it serves. By creating space for meaningful dialogue, shared expression and action around maternal and infant health, Morgan continues to demonstrate how universities can serve as catalysts for community-centered solutions—bringing together research, lived experience and civic engagement to advance healthier, more equitable outcomes across Baltimore and beyond.

Legal Disclaimer:

EIN Presswire provides this news content "as is" without warranty of any kind. We do not accept any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information contained in this article. If you have any complaints or copyright issues related to this article, kindly contact the author above.