Oprah Winfrey Network

I’m thrilled that “No Woman No Cry,” my documentary on maternal and child health, premiered on the Oprah Winfrey Network last weekend for Mother’s Day. It couldn’t have aired at a better time. I hope that it encouraged women to advocate for improved health for moms all over the world. Our next generation needs strong, healthy mothers. Motherless children are at greater risk of malnutrition, inadequate schooling, disease and death. An infant whose mother dies within the first six weeks of life is up to 10 times more likely to die before the age of two than an infant whose mother survives.

I'm sure many of you know Christy Turlington Burns from the catwalk, magazine spreads and television commercials. But I'm honored to introduce to you the mother-of-two, public health advocate and director of No Woman, No Cry, a documentary about maternal mortality worldwide. Ms. Burns began this mission after experiencing complications after the birth of her first child. While the doctors were successful in treating her, she realized that other women were not so lucky to have access to adequate healthcare as it relates to pregnancy and childbirth.

To raise awareness and childbirth survival rates Does anyone want to join Christy Turlington Burns, Oprah, CAREand me for a great big Mother’s Day party? It’ll be a casual affair - just dinner and a movie with friends on Saturday May 7th. We’ll gather early for drinks and a potluck (I’m thinking mac and cheese) while we listen to some music (Every Mother Counts– a Starbucks compilation CD that includes performances by Gwyneth Paltrow, The Dixie Chicks, Martha Wainright, Jennifer Lopez, Madonna and a stellar collection of other mothers). Then we’ll settle onto the couch to watch No Woman, No Cry – the television broadcast premiere of Christy’s kick-ass documentary about maternal health challenges around the world - here in the United States and abroad.