July 29 Film Screening and Panel Discussion: ‘Mothers of Bedford,’ Decarceration, and Women Dignity

As incarceration rates for men drop in some states, efforts to decarcerate jails and prisons have largely left women behind, and women have become the fastest-growing segment of the incarcerated population. At the same time, it’s women who are leading the charge to right these wrongs.

Join the New York Society For Ethical Culture, The Social Justice Network, and the National Action Network for a film screening and panel discussion to explore this important topic.

This event will host a screening of the acclaimed documentary Mothers of Bedford, which highlights the challenges of women, families, and the impact of the criminal justice system in the lives of women here in the United States. Minerva Pascual of the Social Justice Network will give an introduction. The screening will be followed by a panel discussion featuring:

Shawanaa Vaughn, Founder of Silent Cry
Hope Sanders, Formerly Incarcerated Citizen, College and Communities Valedictorian
Judy Clark, Community Justice Advocate, Hour Children
Justice Kathleen Waterman-Marshall, State Supreme Court Justice
Moderated by activist, podcast host, and member of Social Justice Network Dorian Bess.

Following the panel discussion and Q&A, awards will be presented to these women for their work, including a Lifetime Achievement Award to Judy Clark. A call to action will be given by Claudette Robertson, and closing remarks will be given by Derek Perkinson of the National Action Network.

RSVP Required: Click Here to RSVP on Eventbrite!
COVID-19 Notice: Proof of COVID-19 vaccination, photo ID, and mask are required to attend.

About Mothers of Bedford:

Filmmaker Jenifer McShane spent four years following five incarcerated mothers at the New York maximum-security penitentiary, Bedford Hills Correctional Facility She interviewed them, their children and other family members, the children’s caregivers, and prison employees and volunteers.

Eighty percent of women in US prisons today are mothers of school-age children. McShane’s documentary depicts the stresses that prison places on a family while also painting a beautiful picture of the power of a mother’s unconditional love as they take parenting classes, enroll in in-prison education, phone in for parent-teacher conferences, spend time with their kids at the prison’s Children’s Center. We see the struggles and joys these women face as prisoners and mothers.

Visit our website to learn more about the Social Service Board, including their Televisiting Program that helps children maintain contact with an incarcerated family member. The program provides a supplemental option for families to help alleviate children’s separation trauma.

Watch the trailer for Mothers of Bedford: