Columbus Women Share Untold Stories of Maternal and Infant Health, Breaking Silence to Help Others Find Their Way
Stories of loss and survival reveal the lasting weight families carry and the importance of compassionate care
CelebrateOne, the City of Columbus’ infant vitality initiative established under Mayor Andrew J. Ginther, concluded its six-month storytelling campaign, Untold Stories: Journeys of Resilience and Hope, with a live panel on March 31 at the Columbus Museum of Art. The event brought together women sharing deeply personal experiences with maternal mental health, infant loss, stillbirth, and addiction.
The Untold Stories campaign was created to elevate lived experiences behind maternal and infant health outcomes, centering the voices of women and families navigating complex and often isolating journeys. Over six months, participants shared their stories on camera, building toward this culminating panel.
The evening opened with a reflection from Agata Brenneman, Director of Communications and Community Engagement at CelebrateOne, who shared her own experience navigating childbirth, including moments where she was fighting for her and her daughter’s life without clear answers, direction, or urgency.
“In 2026, it shouldn’t take luck to survive childbirth,” said Brenneman.
Throughout the panel, women spoke candidly about what they carried—not only in the moment, but in the years that followed. Panelists described the lasting impact of infant loss and maternal mental health challenges, and the stigma that often surrounds them.
Several panelists called out a phrase they hear too often: “at least…”
“At least you’re still here.”
“At least you have other children.”
Words meant to comfort, but that often deepen the pain and minimize the experience.
Others shared what it felt like to navigate systems that weren’t built for them. From struggling to access maternal mental health support to experiencing care that lacked empathy during some of the most vulnerable moments of their lives, the panel highlighted the gaps that still exist for families.
Panelists included Jennifer Bullock Moore, along with Jessica Jennings, Rachel Hudgel, Tiffany Groce, and ShawNaye Scott.
The event created space not only for storytelling, but for reflection. Attendees were asked to stand, creating a shared recognition of the weight so many carry.
While each story was different, one thing came through clearly: compassion matters. Panelists emphasized that while systems may offer services and support, how those services are delivered—whether families feel seen, heard, and supported—can make a profound difference in their experience.
The Untold Stories campaign reinforces a clear message: listening to families matters, and how care is delivered shapes everything that follows.