YWCA Greenwich Celebrates Dr. King with Panel Discussion on Women’s Health Equity

On Thursday, January 23, the YWCA Greenwich hosted the Annual Coretta Scott & Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Conversation, a community forum organized by YWCA Greenwich’s Center for Equity & Justice to celebrate the lives of Dr. and Mrs. King.

This year’s panel discussion focused on Women’s Health Equity.

Mary Lee Kiernan, Dr. Juliet Mushi, Simone Quartey, Fatmata Williams and Dr. Mia Kazanjian. Photo: ChiChi Ubiña at Fairfield County Look

Moderated by Simone Quartey, Director of the Center for Equity & Justice, the panel of experts included Dr. Mia Kazanjian, Diagnostic Radiologist at Stamford Health, who provided statistics on cancer rates in the United States indicating disparate outcomes and mortality rates for women of color Director of Medical Administration for the State of Connecticut’s Division of Health Services, Fatmata Williams, provided an overlay of how social determinants correlate to the insurance coverage women get. She highlighted how issues of access, economic inequality and systemic bias impact health outcomes and shorten life expectancy.

Photo: ChiChi Ubiña at Fairfield County Look

Rounding out the panel were OB/GYNs, Dr. Juliet Mushi of Harlem Hospital and Dr. Romelle Maloney of Greenwich Hospital, who provided insights into how structural racial and gender inequalities exacerbate issues like the Black maternal health crisis and access to physicians.

State Rep Hector Arzeno (D-151) and Selectperson Janet Stone McGuigan. Photo: ChiChi Ubiña at Fairfield County Look

The forum closed with a thought exercise, facilitated by Two Gems Consulting, a women-led consulting group working in tandem with YWCA Greenwich’s Center for Equity & Justice to understand health disparities for women. Attendees were asked to imagine what a just and equitable health ecosystem for all women.

To watch the full event and learn more, please visit www.ywcagrn.org/mlk25.

Founded in 1919, YWCA Greenwich is dedicated to eliminating racism, empowering women, and promoting peace, justice, freedom, and dignity for all. YWCA Greenwich provides programs for people of all ages and genders with initiatives that include preschool and after school programs, aquatics programs, youth athletics, health and fitness programs and seminars focusing on racial justice and women’s empowerment.

Additionally, YWCA Greenwich is the only provider of domestic and sexual violence services in Greenwich, with staff who are licensed to provide crisis intervention, counseling, shelter, and victim advocacy. These services are free.