Less than half a century ago, immigrant women underwent struggles that many people in the U.S. are still unaware of.
The University of Idaho Women’s Center and the Office of Multicultural Affairs collaborated to tell these women’s stories by presenting a screening of the film, “No Mas Bebes” at the Kenworthy Performing Arts Center.
The screening of the film was put together to promote awareness and help kick off the University of Idaho’s Latino/a Heritage month, said Leathia Botello, coordinator for the Office of Multicultural Affairs.
“No Mas Bebes,” or “No More Babies,” is a documentary film that tells the story of a group of Mexican immigrant women who were coerced into unwanted sterilization upon arriving at a Los Angeles County hospital to give birth in the late 1960s and early 1970s. This group of women, scared and unable to speak English, came to the hospital to have their children and left sterilized and confused. Botello said the film reveals the struggles and hardships this group of women went through to provide reproductive justice for themselves.
The film shows how the women were able to team up with a lawyer and sue not only the doctors, but the state of California and the U.S. government, she said. The film plays a part in the understanding the history of immigrant women’s rights, and how the historical Roe v. Wade case played a significant role in this situation.
Assistant Director for Programs at the Women’s Center, Bekah MillerMacphee said the film provides an opportunity to learn about U.S. history.
“Many people do not realize that immigrant women were sterilized against their will and without their knowledge,” MillerMacPhee said. “It’s a part of U.S. history we’d like to give students the opportunity to learn about.”
Botello said “No Mas Bebes” shows a particularly unusual part of U.S. history some people may be unaware of.
“It is always good to remind people about the history that goes on in the country,” Botello said.
She said the movie should play an impactful part on those who attend.
“I think the movie will be surprising for a lot of people, mostly because you would expect these types of things to happen 100 years ago, not 40,” Botello said.
Although a rather extreme event in history, Botello said this story is one that many people have never heard of. The film screening gives those a chance to learn about the struggle of immigrant mothers during that time.
The screening of “No Mas Bebes” will take place 7 p.m. today at the Kenworthy Performing Arts Center in downtown Moscow. The film is free for students to attend.
Savannah Cardon
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