2021 Documentaries (Documents)

Untold Stories - The story of Mary Kenner, who invented a sanitary belt

Abraham, Christina; Gombar, Theresa; Rose, Yasmeen C.

This story is about Mary Kenner, an inventor whose numerous products are widely used today, making her the African American woman with the most patents. Kenner's first patent, issued in 1957, was for the sanitary belt, designed to prevent menstrual blood from leaking onto clothing—a common issue for women at that time. The narrative also explores how some of her patent applications were initially declined because of her race, and details her journey toward achieving these patents.

Untold Stories in Public Health is a course that introduces students to individuals, groups, and events whose impact on public health have been left out of US history. From African American physicians whose work has gone unnoticed to policy makers whose legacy has yet to be written, this course reviews the unsung heroes, their impact, the discrimination and structural racism they faced, and the work they left behind. You can learn more about the class and project on the website: https://www.publichealth.columbia.edu/academics/departments/health-policy-management/news-events/untold-stories.