Dedication to the story was the overall theme as Maisie Crow spoke and showed her short film “The Last Clinic” on Thursday night. Crow, an Emmy-nominated filmmaker and photographer, came to explain to students that with dedication to a subject they’re passionate about they can tell truly inspiring stories, despite obstacles.

“Follow the stories that you care about,” Crow said. “And be honest with the people you’re photographing or interviewing and try your hardest to tell their story in the most honest way possible.”

Crow spoke in First Energy Auditorium in Franklin Hall at 7 p.m. and met privately with a group of photojournalism students earlier in the day. Those who attended the evening session got to watch the film and speak to Crow after about her inspiration.

Her film, “The Last Clinic,” focuses on the last abortion clinic in Mississippi and its struggle to remain open with legislature proposed aiming to close it down. In the film, Crow features workers at the clinic, a woman who had gone through with an abortion, a young mother and even the Pro-Life protesters who make it a point to stand outside the clinic everyday.

Crow described in her presentation how she gained trust with the people she filmed. Despite the many times she heard “no” from her subjects, she remained dedicated and ultimately got to film inside the surgery room. She said that, due to the trust level she obtained, the clinic eventually felt like a second home. The passion she had for the story was prevalent in the shots she was able to obtain in such an intimate setting.

“She reinforces the mission that we’re trying to set, and that’s compassionate storytelling,” said Dave LaBelle, director of the photojournalism program at Kent State.  “That’s our mantra for the photojournalism program and she fits perfectly into that.”

Crow started out as a sociology major at The Ohio University and eventually took photography as an elective course. She went from knowing nothing about photography to gaining national recognition for her work, and that resonated with some students who attended she said.

“It was inspiring to see that [goals] are possible,” said sophomore photojournalism major Elaine Waller. “Especially from someone who didn’t consider media as a career.”

Crow is the fifth speaker in JMC’s Diversity Speakers Series and this is the first time JMC has partnered with the Women’s Center for an event. Cassandra Pegg-Kirby, assistant director of the Women’s Center, said that the Women’s Center is excited to work with the photojournalism department.

“I’m really excited to work with them,” Pegg-Kirby said. “Not only for the people we’re bringing to campus but really to showcase and celebrate the students coming through the program.”

Crow ended her presentation with the trailer for her new, extended version of “The Last Clinic” which she said she hopes will be a full-length film. To help generate funds to finish this production, Crow has partnered with IndieGoGo fundraising company. She said she hopes this film will continue to inspire and help her keep trust with her subjects on both sides of the abortion fight.

“People have been very supportive of the film,” Crow said. “So I think it’s been pretty well received on both sides and it’s helped with my access on both sides.”

For more information on Maisie Crow and her work visit www.maisiecrow.com, or to donate to “The Last Clinic” go to www.indiegogo.com/projects/the-last-clinic.

Contact Heather Inglis at [email protected].