Kansas City PBS is proud to announce a comprehensive line-up of women’s health coverage throughout October, beginning with Beyond the Symptoms: Women’s Health Town Hall. This in-depth discussion, moderated by Shirley’s Kitchen Cabinet founder Michele Watley, will shed light on the reality that, despite modern advancements, women’s health remains understudied, underreported and often misunderstood. This important conversation invites viewers to ask questions, hear from experts and take home thoughtful tools for self-advocacy. Audiences can join the live discussion online on YouTube or in person at Johnson County Central Resource Library on Tuesday, Oct. 1, at 5:30 p.m. Viewers can also tune in on Channel 19.1 on Thursday, Oct. 17, at 7 p.m.
This event, planned in collaboration with American Public Square, Shirley’s Kitchen Cabinet and the Johnson County Public Library, kicks off an important line-up of content highlighting the state of women’s health care from pregnancy to menopause.
“Kansas City PBS is proud to present this powerful content about the reality of women’s health,” said Kalie Hudson, Kansas City PBS Chief Content Officer. “We hope by sharing this line-up of local and national programs centering women’s health, we can introduce our audiences to resources and advocates fighting for quality healthcare.”
Following the town hall broadcast, on Oct. 17 at 8 p.m., Kansas City PBS will premiere Pregnancy & Prejudice, a local documentary from filmmaker Avrell Stokes. The film showcases the story of Sherry “Mama Hakima” Payne and her efforts to empower patients, particularly Black women, to advocate for themselves through her nonprofit Uzazi Village, a local organization that supports and provides a safe space for Black mothers and infants.
"Changemakers like Mama Hakima and Uzazi Village are the key drivers of transformation,” said producer Avrell Stokes. “The portrayal of her lived experience and work toward Black maternal health in Kansas City is a testament to that.”
In observance of National Menopause Awareness Month, the October line-up will close out with the premiere of The M Factor: Shedding the Silence on Menopause, a documentary exploring the physical, emotional and societal challenges of menopause and offering a platform for women to share their stories and advocate for better understanding and healthcare support. Through personal narratives, expert insights and a focus on how menopause impacts various communities, The M Factor seeks to challenge stigmas and encourage open dialogue about women's health. The M Factor airs immediately after Pregnancy & Prejudice at 9 p.m.
Kansas City PBS’ Women’s Health Coverage
Beyond the Symptoms: Women’s Health Town Hall
Thursday, Oct. 17, at 7 p.m.
Thursday, Oct. 17, at 8 p.m.
The M Factor: Shedding the Silence on Menopause
Thursday, Oct. 17, at 9 p.m.
To learn more about this important coverage, visit kansascitypbs.org/womenshealth.
Pregnancy & Prejudice is presented in part by the Samuel U Rodgers Health Center.