Latest news with #Browder
Yahoo
07-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Mothers of Gynecology artist to display famed J. Marion Sims painting that fueled her work
The legacy of Dr. J. Marion Sims in Montgomery is hard for many to imagine. Starting in 1845, the "father of modern gynecology" inflicted painful surgeries on at least three enslaved women — Anarcha, Lucy, and Betsey — without their consent. There have been reports of many more unnamed Black women he experimented on. Because he believed Black women didn't feel pain the same as White women, he performed the surgeries without available anesthesia. Likely, the closest we'll come to visualizing this horror these women faced is a 1952 painting by Robert Thom — "J. Marion Sims: Gynecologic Surgeon." Thanks to years of effort by Montgomery organizer, activist and artist Michelle Browder, the original painting will go on exhibit in Montgomery, beginning on Mother's Day weekend. Activist and artist Michelle Browder is overcome with emotion as the 1952 painting J. Marion Sims: Gynecologic Surgeon arrives at the Mother of Gynecology Museum in Montgomery, Ala., on Thursday, May 1, 2025. More: J. Marion Sims: Career and honors built on torture in Alabama "It shows J. Marion Sims in the backyard of the hospital in Montgomery, Alabama," Browder said. "I've been working for four and a half years to get this painting to Montgomery." Thom found a way to illustrate the experiment without going into graphic detail. The painting shows Lucy kneeling on a table, a hand at her chest, as she stares into the eyes of J.M. Sims. Anarcha and Betsey peek around a curtain into the room, where two other men appear ready to assist the doctor. "It's major," said Browder, who has spent years studying the painting and the story behind it. As a 19-year-old college student, she first saw an image of it in postcard form on her professor's desk. While trying to find its origins, she discovered the story of Anarcha, Lucy, and Betsey. That study has fueled her message as an artist and activist. It led her to create The Mothers of Gynecology Monument, 17 Mildred St., Montgomery. Kevin King, founder and executive director of King's Canvas in Montgomery, said he's impressed that Browder acquired the painting. "The work that she's doing is phenomenal," King said. Three-day weekend is a fundraiser for a museum to open in 2026 Activist and artist Michelle Browder talks over plans for the Mother of Gynecology Museum in Montgomery, Ala., on Thursday, May 1, 2025. Introducing the painting to the city where the surgeries took place is part of a three-day ticketed group of events that are fundraisers for the future Mothers Gynecology Clinical Museum, where the painting will reside in downtown Montgomery. The weekend offers an early peek in the museum, which officially opens in 2026. "People are coming from around the country to see (the painting)," Browder said. It will be a focal point of the "Reclaiming Our Time" exhibit at the museum site, 33 S. Perry St. A facility at that site in the 1840s is where J.M. Sims conducted his experiments. "There's a sign on the outside that talks about Sims," Browder said. More: Michigan artist Robert Thom illustrated windows into history The future museum site will also contain art by Browder, creator of The Mothers of Gynecology Monument (17 Mildred St.), and curated works by other artists. Molly Gochman – An experiential artist and activist who invites viewers "to reflect on and participate in the experience of humanity." Steve Ekpenisi – Known as 'The Iron Bender,' Ekpenisi crafts metal sculptures inspired by socio-economic and political realities, cultural traditions, and the richness of human beauty. How long with the painting be in Montgomery? Activist and artist Michelle Browder gets a first glance at the 1952 painting J. Marion Sims: Gynecologic Surgeon by Robert Thom at the Mother of Gynecology Museum in Montgomery, Ala., on Monday, May 5, 2025. The painting will be on display as Browder continues to honor the enslaved women Anarcha, Betsy and Lucy the enslaved women Sims experimented on. Elaine Sims — no relation to J.M. Sims — is director of Gifts of Art for University of Michigan where the painting has resided for years. She said there's not a fixed date for the painting to be in Montgomery, but that it will be on loan for at least a year. "The way we do loans, we renew it year by year," Sims said. Sims said the painting has been off public display in Michigan due to the controversy surrounding J.M. Sims. "It's disturbing for some people," Sims said. "We used it for educational purposes. It was housed in our museum, and different classes would use it to talk about medical discrepancies." Schedule of events for May 9-11 Friday, May 9: Reception at the Mothers of Gynecology Monument, 17 Mildred St. Gates open at 5 p.m., and the reception is from 6-8 p.m. The evening includes a light dinner and live music. Saturday, May 10: 10 a.m.–1 p.m: The Mothers of Gynecology Monument Tour — Visit the Alabama River site of the Montgomery Brawl before boarding a boat to Freedom Monument Park. Later, enjoy a light lunch at 'We Create Change Art Studio' with Browder. 5:30-6:30 p.m.: Tour of The Mothers of Gynecology Clinic — Experience the historic space where these horrific experiments happened to Anarcha, Lucy, and Betsey. 6:30-9 p.m.: 'Broken Wings Still Fly' – A dinner theater experience — In collaboration with the Unknown Project, this stage production tells the stories of enslaved women through the lens of love, resilience, motherhood, and triumph. Held at the historic site where Sims conducted his experiments, this event will include traditional "slave food" including collard greens, black-eyed peas, and hoe cakes. Sunday, May 11: 12:30-3:30 p.m 'Reclaiming Our Time' — The exhibit will officially unveil Thom's seldom seen painting. The day will also include: A program and guided tour of the future Mothers of Gynecology Clinical Museum. Keynote address by Dr. Joia Crear-Perry, founder and president of the National Birth Equity Collaborative. Ticket Information Tickets are available at and are available in the following options: Full weekend experience — $125 Dinner theater performance only — $85 Unveiling ceremony only — $50 Montgomery Advertiser reporter Shannon Heupel covers things to do in the River Region. Contact him at sheupel@ This article originally appeared on Montgomery Advertiser: Mothers of Gynecology: Sims painting going on exhibit in Montgomery
Axios
05-05-2025
- Business
- Axios
Study: Bay Area families need $134,000 to cover basic needs
A family of four needs $134,211 per year on average to afford basic needs in the Bay Area, according to a new study that paints a bleak picture amid a deteriorating economic outlook. The big picture: As the Bay Area's cost of living has outpaced affordability, 27% of households here are struggling to meet basic needs, per the new analysis by anti-poverty nonprofit United Ways of California. That's almost 674,000 households. By the numbers: The $134,211 average for basic needs, what United Way calls the real cost measure (RCM), is an increase of nearly $15,000 since it was last calculated in 2023. A household would need to hold more than three full-time, minimum-wage jobs to achieve economic security for a family of four in the Bay Area. Meanwhile, the average household income in the region is just under $130,000, and 36% of all households spend more than 30% of their income on housing. Latinos and African Americans are disproportionately represented among households with incomes under the RCM. Zoom in: San Francisco, where the average household income is about $139,000, has the highest RCM among Bay Area counties. A family of four needs nearly $162,823 per year on average to afford basic needs. For two adults, it's $87,762. What they're saying:"No working household should be on the threshold of poverty with this annual salary. Yet, even with two working adults, people are still struggling," Keisha Browder, CEO of United Way Bay Area, told Axios. While measures like increasing the minimum wage and supporting tax credits have put money back in Californians' pockets, "more must be done to close the gap between wages and the real cost of living," Browder said, pointing to coordinated philanthropy as an increasingly important source. Between the lines: Unlike the federal poverty level, which is based primarily on food costs, the RCM provides a more accurate reflection of the cost of living, according to Browder. How it works: The study examines the prices of housing, health care, child care, transportation and taxes. Calculations are based on a configuration of two adults, one infant and one school-aged child, though other household types are included in its research database. Friction point: The findings come as San Francisco struggles with looming budget cuts that could impact public assistance and grant programs. Local nonprofits and community-based organizations have warned that Mayor Daniel Lurie's proposed cuts will increase the risk of youth exploitation, domestic violence and homelessness. The latest: At a City Hall hearing last Wednesday, Soma Pilipinas project manager Raquel Redondiez called on officials to not defund "the community infrastructure that the city relied on during the pandemic," saying the alternative will harm SF's most vulnerable residents. Attorney Emberly Cross of the Cooperative Restraining Order Clinic echoed the sentiment, asking officials to tell her "which of the 516 domestic violence survivors and their children the city wants to not receive legal services next year."
Yahoo
02-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Columbus pools set to open Summer 2025
COLUMBUS, Ga. () — After years of being shut down, three beloved Columbus pools are making a comeback, just in time for summer. Rigdon Park, Psalmond Road, and Shirley Winston pools all originally closed between 2015 and 2019 due to growing maintenance issues. Construction that began in 2023 is now nearly complete. Starting May 28, the pools will officially reopen, joining the Double Churches pool and the Columbus Aquatic Center in reviving a cherished summer tradition and valuable recreational space for local families. The funding for these renovations came from a special-purpose local-option sales tax, or SPLOST, approved in 2021. While the pools are almost ready, the city is still working to fully staff them. This is an issue that's affecting communities across the country. Director of the Columbus Parks and Recreation department, Holli Browder, said, 'You are currently looking at a deficit for lifeguards. We were actually featured on NPR statewide radio last week where they continue to have the same discussion we've had here in Columbus. That is not just a Columbus or Georgia related issue. It's nationwide. We're not looking at an effect opening. It would affect the operational hours and days. But again, we're being very optimistic and hopeful that we're going to be able to meet the numbers that we need to be sure that we can open those pools.' Columbus lifeguards must be certified through the American Red Cross. Parks and Recreation is offering certification classes for qualified applicants. The classes are scheduled for May 1-4 and 8-10. The city is encouraging anyone, from students to retirees, to consider applying. Browder said, 'It could be anyone who has a desire to serve the community and serve in a lifesaving capacity as a lifeguard. It's ages 15 and up, and we're grateful to have anyone who's willing to serve in that position.' Along with the pools, two new splash pads are set to open this summer, one at Carver Park and another at the City Services Center. To celebrate, the city is planning several community events in June, including a 'Welcome Back to Summer' party for kids. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
22-03-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
How would dismantling the Department of Education affect West Virginia schools?
CLARKSBURG, (WBOY) — On Thursday, President Trump signed an executive order to 'facilitate the closure of the Department of Education.' The Trump administration argues that the Department of Education is ineffective, saying that since its inception the Department of Education has spent $3 trillion without improving students' standardized test scores. How will the dismantling of the Department of Education affect West Virginia? Education Policy Fellow Tamaya Browder, of the West Virginia Center on Budget and Policy, wrote a brief looking into that question. Browder spoke to 12 News and pointed out that the Department of Education plays a number of roles in the country, including providing funding to meet the needs of students with disabilities, protecting civil rights of students such as with Title IX, and funding low-income Title I schools. In her brief, Browder wrote that when looking at pre-pandemic funding, federal money accounted for $384 million, or about one in ten dollars in West Virginia schools. The brief also says federal money accounted for about one in five dollars in West Virginia schools in 2022 with the difference being due to pandemic era funding. What foods would go away if West Virginia bans certain food dye? While the recent executive order largely cuts down on the Department of Education, the decision to completely abolish the department will need approval by Congress. As the federal government's footprint in education is set to shrink, the West Virginia Center on Budget and Policy argues that other factors will also decrease the level of funding towards education in the state, and that these factors must be considered. 'Our school districts are already dealing with some difficult decisions due to losing funds to the Hope Scholarship, declining state revenues, and reduced resources due to the expiring pandemic era relief funding,' Browder said. 'We do need to invest in our public education system, especially in West Virginia, to ensure our children are prepared for the future.' Trump officials say that the executive order will not affect the distribution of Title I funds and resources for students with disabilities. Some have proposed moving key functions of the Department of Education to other parts of the government, such as moving the enforcement of student civil rights to the Department of Justice. Furthermore, a House Bill proposed in January proposes moving the administration of federal student loans — another key responsibility of the Department of Education — to the Treasury Department. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
USA Today
19-03-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Michigan football freshman WR Jamar Browder impresses older players in 1st spring practice
Michigan football freshman WR Jamar Browder impresses older players in 1st spring practice ANN ARBOR, Mich. -- Let the spring hype begin. Michigan football started spring ball on Tuesday and a handful of Wolverines met with the media on Wednesday to discuss how the first day went. And already, a freshman is making some waves. The maize and blue desperately need production from the wide receiver position, a group without really any household names. And when WolverinesWire asked senior edge rusher TJ Guy which younger players stood out to him on day one, we expected Guy to name someone either on defense or more so within his position group. However, the name that came out his mouth was one of those freshman wideouts -- a positive sign, to be sure. "Jamar Browder made a catch yesterday. I was like damn, that's gonna look good," Guy said. "So him, for sure. A whole bunch of guys. This class is uber-talented, I think, for real. So you guys are gonna see, like I said, day one, but we'll see more for sure." Browder flipped to Michigan football after originally being committed to NC State. The 6-foot-5 receiver from Santaluces Community High School in Florida was a three-star recruit but was highly prioritized by head coach Sherrone Moore during the recruiting process. He got an opportunity to be involved early as he early enrolled and practiced with the team as it prepared to face Alabama in the ReliaQuest Bowl. Team captain and Wolverines fullback Max Bredeson also noted the play and why it was encouraging to see Browder make it. "Yeah, he made a play," Bredeson said. "One of the jumps -- got a high one. It was a pretty cool play to see a freshman first day go do something." The Wolverine receiving corps has been a bit more of a diminutive group. Without obvious size on the boundaries, the maize and blue have more so gone with speed in recent years to make up for the lack of length. But now, Michigan has two 6-foot-5 receivers in the position group, with Browder joining Indiana transfer Donaven McCulley as being the two biggest wideouts that the Wolverines have. As far as Bredeson sees it, having two big players like that should create some problems for opposing defenses. "It's definitely got to help," Bredeson said. "I've never played defense, or haven't played defense in college, but I'm sure looking across and seeing a guy who's 6-foot-5 probably isn't as much fun. But yeah, it's definitely got to be a good addition. He can jump too. Both of them can. So it definitely helps." Spring ball may have just started but the annual spring game takes place one month from now, on April 19 at noon EDT at The Big House.
