Film Screening: Before a Breath

In the midst of their grief for the death of their son, Willie, the Lincolns sought refuge at the Cottage. President Lincoln's Cottage opened the award-winning exhibit, "Reflections on Grief and Child Loss" in 2020 as a way to express the universality of grief across time, connecting the Lincolns to modern families.

Join us for a free screening of "Before a Breath," a documentary film that explores stillbirth, maternal health, and meaning-making after loss. This is an independently organized event inspired by reporting from ProPublica, an award-winning nonprofit newsroom. Following the screening, join us for a conversation featuring:

Kanika Harris is a birth justice advocate and doula. She holds a doctorate in health behavior and health education and is the executive director of the National Association to Advance Black Birth.

Callie Hawkins is the CEO and Executive Director of President Lincoln's Cottage. She curated the exhibit, "Reflections on Grief and Child Loss" which won the National Council on Public History's Outstanding Public History Project Award in 2023.

Erin Wallace Morrison facilitates DC Pregnancy Loss and Infant Death Support group, the only regularly-meeting peer support group for pregnancy loss and infant death in DC.

Nadia Sussman is a filmmaker and journalist at ProPublica. She is the director of "Before a Breath."

Debbie Haine Vijayvergiya is a stillbirth parent advocate and the mother behind the SHINE for Autumn Act, named in honor of her daughter, Autumn, who was stillborn in 2011.

Arrive early to explore "Reflections on Grief and Child Loss" in the Visitor Education Center which will remain open until 5:45pm.

ROBERT H. SMITH VISITOR EDUCATION CENTER

• "Reflections on Grief and Child Loss" Exhibit
• Museum Shop
• Crafting Connection activity
• Restrooms
• Will remain open until 5:45pm

PRESIDENT LINCOLN'S COTTAGE (across from Robert H. Smith Visitor Education Center)

• Screening Check-In
• Screening
• Post-Screening Conversation
• Restrooms
• Check-In begins at 5:30pm

Intimate, infuriating and ultimately hopeful, “Before a Breath” braids together the stories of three mothers determined to make pregnancy safer after losing children to stillbirth.

After the loss of her daughter Autumn, Debbie Haine Vijayvergiya discovers that more than 20,000 stillbirths occur every year in the U.S. — and at least 1 in 4 is likely preventable. She goes to Washington, battling political inertia as she fights to make stillbirth research and prevention a federal priority. Kanika Harris, a maternal health advocate and doula, tells the story of her twins, Kodjo and Zindzi, as she trains a new generation of Black birth workers. And Stephanie Lee, a nurse leader at a Manhattan hospital, seeks answers about what might have led to her daughter Elodie’s stillbirth as she takes a leap of faith and becomes pregnant again.

Armed Forces Retirement Home

President Lincoln’s Cottage is on the grounds of the Armed Forces Retirement Home. Security for the Armed Forces Retirement Home requires visitors to show valid identification at the security gate in order to enter the property. Please be prepared to show your ID.

Exploring beyond the boundaries of President Lincoln's Cottage is not permitted and results in trespassing on federal property.

All events are considered public events for the purpose of photography and video.

Contact

Questions? Contact President Lincoln’s Cottage with any questions at 202-829-0436 or [email protected].

Event Venue & Nearby Stays

President Lincoln's Cottage, 140 Rock Creek Church Road Northwest, Washington, United States