The Social Justice Speaker Series Presents:
Pressing Onward: The Imperative Resilience of Latina Migrant Mothers In CT
Presenter: Jessica P. Cerdeña, MD, PhD
Date & Time: Thursday April 17th, 2025 from 7:00PM – 8:00PM Eastern Standard Time
Location: Via Zoom
Zoom Link: Emailed with ticket
Cost:
FREE to attend
FREE CE for CPA Members
$15.00 CE Processing Fee for Non-members
Continuing Education: Eligible for 1 CE
Abstract:
Drawing from ethnographic research, this presentation centers women who migrated from Latin America to southern Connecticut to build futures for themselves and their children. First, this talk considers the state failure that drives migration from Latin America and the traumatic experiences mothers endure this process. Second, the discussion problematizes clinical definitions of trauma and resilience, introducing the concept of “imperative resilience” the psychological, social, and emotional strategies women use to resist structural oppression. Finally, the conversation addresses the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on Latina migrant mothers in Connecticut, and policy solutions to foster more supportive communities for migrants.
Learning Objectives:
By the end of the presentation, participants will be able to:
(1) Identify at least two sociopolitical drivers surrounding migration from Latin America.
(2) Define “imperative resilience” in the context of clinical characterizations of trauma.
(3) Recognize at least two policy opportunities to support migrant families in Connecticut.
Research Citations
Cerdeña JP. (2023). Pressing Onward: The Imperative Resilience of Latina Migrant Mothers. University of California Press: Oakland. https://www.ucpress.edu/book/9780520394018/pressing-onward
Cerdeña JP. (2023). “The prenatal care color line and Latina migrant motherhood.” Medical Anthropology Quarterly. 37(4):325-340. https://doi.org/10.1111/maq.12782
Espinoza-Kulick MV, Cerdeña JP. (2022). “‘We Need Health for All’: Mental Health and Barriers to Care among Latinxs in California and Connecticut.” International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health. 19(19): 1-21. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph191912817
Presenter Biography
Dr. Cerdeña received her MD-PhD in Medical Anthropology from Yale University where she began using scholarship and activism as tools for health justice. Dr. Cerdeña co-coined the term “race-conscious medicine” to emphasize how racism, rather than race, determines illness and health. Her book Pressing Onward: The Imperative Resilience of Latina Migrant Mothers narrates the ways women who migrated from Latin America overcome structural oppression to build futures for themselves and their children. Dr. Cerdeña is currently completing her family medicine residency and will continue working at the intersection of research, community-oriented primary care, and health policy.
Post-Webinar Evaluation Form:
Post-webinar evaluation form will be provided during the event and must be completed to receive a Continuing Education (CE) certificate.
Closed Captions: Live audio captions are accessible for this event. If you need additional disability-related accommodations, please contact us by email us at info@connpsych.org or by phone (860) 404-0333. Requests should be made at least two weeks in advance of workshop date.
Refund Policy: Participants may direct questions to CPA by email at info@connpsych.org or by phone at (860) 404-0333. Registrants may cancel and receive a full refund up to two-weeks in advance of workshop date. An administrative fee of $30 will be charged for cancellation of registration within two weeks of the workshop date (Social Justice events will not be charged an administrative fee). Please note, no refunds will be granted within 24 hours of workshop date.
Continuing Education Approval:
The Connecticut Psychological Association (CPA) is approved by the American Psychological Association (APA) to offer continuing education for psychologists. CPA maintains responsibility for the program and its content. CPA will issue certificates of completion. APA CE rules require that we only issue credits to those who attend the entire workshop. Those logging into the Zoom webinar more than 15 minutes late or logging off before the entire workshop is completed will not receive CE credits (i.e. partial CE credit will not be issued).
CPA GRIEVANCE POLICY:
The Connecticut Psychological Association (CPA) is fully committed to conducting all activities in strict conformance with the American Psychological Association’s Ethical Principles of Psychologists. The CPA will comply with all legal and ethical guidelines for non-discrimination in promotional activities, program content and in the treatment of CE participants. While the CPA strives to assure fair treatment for all participants and to anticipate problems before they occur, occasionally grievances may be filed. In cases where a participant files a written or oral grievance, the following actions are taken:
If the grievance concerns the content of the workshop a CPA representative will mediate and will be the final arbitrator. If the participant requests action, the CPA will either provide a credit for a subsequent CE offering or provide a partial or full refund of the CE fee already paid. Actions involving a credit, or a refund will require a written note documenting the grievance for record- keeping purposes. The aggrieved individual need not sign the note. If the grievance specifically concerns the CPA, the CPA will attempt to arbitrate.
Direct correspondence to: The Connecticut Psychologial Association, P.O. Box #1167, Old Saybrook, CT 06475 or by email to executivedirector@connpsych.org.
