Since the age of 19 years old, I’ve carried the memories of Anarcha, Lucy, and Betsey in my heart and mind. It is a profound moment, 35 years later, to host a painting by Robert Thom, featuring the Mothers, in the backyard of a Negro Hospital located at 33 Perry Street. This magnificent painting was hidden in the basement at the University of Michigan for over 20 years.

 

We were fortunate enough to acquire the building on the site that once held a dark history, where enslaved men, women, and children suffered in the name of healthcare. Yet, we were also able to bring this powerful painting to life on that very soil, allowing it to tell stories that can transform the narrative surrounding maternal health.

 

We are not only confronting the painful truths of our past but also reclaiming our narrative, shining a light on the resilience and hope that these enslaved girls and women demonstrated every single day. It’s our responsibility to share our stories, rather than allowing them to be dictated by the government.