Everyone has a story to tell. Filmmaker Meri Collazos Solá has long championed this belief as a digital storytelling teacher. Then, in 2013, her own story took center stage when she gave birth to a daughter with Alpha-1 Antitrypsin Deficiency, a genetic variant that makes her vulnerable to lung diseases and the dangers of air pollution. Determined to turn this unexpected adversity into action, Meri embraced the principles she had taught, using storytelling to amplify an issue that had suddenly become deeply personal: clean air.
Tell Congress: Hold the Line on Progress to Cut Air and Climate Pollution
Meri’s perspective sharpened as she learned more about her daughter’s condition, especially after her first hospitalization. Meri realized that her maternal hopes mirrored those of every parent: the desire for a safe, healthy environment where children can breathe freely and thrive. This realization became the heart of her documentary, Respira, Mamá (Breathe, Mom).
“Her diagnosis made me see the risks in a clearer light, especially the importance of avoiding toxic air,” Meri says. “It wasn’t just about her; I saw how environmental factors like air pollution affect all children. As I researched, I began to meet families whose kids had respiratory conditions, often linked to poor air quality. This opened my eyes to the larger problem and motivated me to document it.”
Seeking answers, Meri connected with experts and families who, like her, were fighting for cleaner air for their children. This is how she met Moms Clean Air Force’s Director and Co-Founder, Dominique Browning, whose leadership and advocacy inspired her. Dominique’s activism reflected the kind of grassroots, mother-led change Meri sought to capture in her film. “Her voice added a vital layer to the documentary, reinforcing the idea that mothers, in particular, are driving forces for change,” Meri says.
The film follows several mothers with stories similar to Meri’s. It also delves into environmental justice activism across the U.S. and highlights the historical importance of the U.S. Clean Air Act in shaping environmental policy. Dominique highlights the law’s significance in the documentary: “The Clean Air Act should be considered a jewel in the crown of American laws,” Dominique says, describing its crucial role in curbing pollution.
This past October, Moms Clean Air Force partnered with Meri for a screening of Respira, Mamá, at the DocsMex Festival in Mexico City. National Field Manager Liz Hurtado joined Meri, along with fellow advocates and health professionals, to discuss the urgent need for stronger air pollution protections. Liz also highlighted the efforts of Moms and EcoMadres, Moms’ Latino engagement program, to mobilize communities in demanding clean air for every child, bringing action to the cause so close to Meri’s heart.
“I’m inspired by the people I’ve met on this journey, whose passion and dedication make them the best companions I could have in this fight,” Meri says. “This collective strength motivates me to continue pushing for change.”
Meri likens joining the movement for clean air to a sailor’s proverb: “If you don’t know where you’re going, no wind will be favorable.” “It’s like knowing that, despite the challenges, the right path can lead us toward a healthier future,” she says. “The winds of change may not always blow smoothly or predictably, but with a clear goal, we are much more likely to move forward in the right direction. When the winds of change blow favorably, that’s when we can make real progress.”
Tell Congress: Hold the Line on Progress to Cut Air and Climate Pollution