The Stories We Tell
History matters, now more than ever. In this talk, Maria Smilios draws from her award-winning book, The Black Angels, to explore how the stories we remember—and the ones we erase—shape our identities, culture, and daily lives, and why recovering overlooked histories is essential to understanding the present.

Plagues, Poets, & Tuberculosis
This talk takes audiences on a captivating journey through the often bizarre history of tuberculosis—where romantic poets, TB-inspired fashion, and medical quackery collide with stigma, racial bias, and unequal care, shaping who lived and who died, and why paying attention to these stories still matters if we want a fairer, more compassionate world.

Pioneering Women: The Black Angels
In this talk, Maria brings to life the story of the Black Angels, nurses who pushed past discrimination and a segregated healthcare system to save lives, desegregate NYC hospitals, and help cure the “plague of all plagues,” tuberculosis. Their courage, determination, and commitment to justice offer powerful lessons on confronting inequality and lifting up overlooked voices.

In Praise of Curiosity
It started with a single sentence that eventually led Maria to the untold story of the Black Angels, Black nurses who broke barriers and changed public health forever. That spark of curiosity pushed her to dig deeper, ask questions, and follow leads no one else had noticed. This talk celebrates how curiosity and following hunches can lead to surprising discoveries, taking you places you never imagined.

Science in the Age of Misinformation
In a world overloaded with information, and everyone’s an expert after two YouTube videos, how do we separate fact from fiction? Drawing on her experience as a science writer and editor, this talk looks at how misinformation spreads, why our brains fall for it, why it matters, and how science gives us the tools to push back. Through real stories—some funny, some sobering—Maria shows how curiosity, good questions, and a keen eye for red flags can help figure out what’s genuine and what’s phony.

MSNBC Last Word with Lawrence O’Donnell

“Tuberculosis Was Horrible. They Did What They Could”

“The legacy of the Black Angels”

“The Heroic Black Nurses Who Helped Cure Tuberculosis”

“Meet the Tuberculosis Nurses, the Black Women Who Helped Cure TB”

“Forgotten Heroes”

“The ‘Black Angels’ cared for tuberculosis patients when no one else would”

The Black Angels of Sea View

“Restoring the “Black Angels” to Medical History”

“The story of Staten Island’s ‘Black Angels’ now in the Congressional Record”

“‘A story of triumph’: How work of the Black Angels helped lead to a cure for tuberculosis”

“Eloquent, inspirational, and uplifting keynote. You truly delivered a wonderful message to our attendees. We are most grateful for your contribution to a successful conference!”
– Theresa Campo, Vice President, American Association of Nurse Practitioners

“I can’t tell you how many people have told me that your talk was poignant and moving. We are really grateful to you for the visit.”
– Dr. Richard Chaisson Director, Johns Hopkins University Center for Tuberculosis Research

“Thank you for sharing your amazing book. It was a wonderful presentation!”
– Dr. Patricio Escalante, Professor of Medicine, MAYO Clinic

“We are so grateful for your visit and your work. The office was buzzing with excitement all afternoon, and our CEO Patrice mentioned you and your story in an executive leadership meeting–TWICE!”
– Dr. Kelly Stinson, Mycobacteriology Lead, Bill & Melinda Gates Medical Research Institute

“A powerful feature of this year’s Union World Conference on Lung Health was the inclusion of four authors who are breathing new life into TB advocacy…they shared what drove them to write about TB, the core messages behind their work and their reflections on the current global health crisis”
– International Union Against Tuberculosis and Lung Disease

“Thank you for a wonderful keynote presentation on Friday! It meant so much to have the story of the Black Angels as part of our Nurses Week celebration.”
– Dr. Kara Hedvig, Director of Nursing, Atrium Health

“Maria, we absolutely enjoyed your presentation on the Black Angels.”
– Professor William Jacobs Leo and Julia Forchheimer Chair in Microbiology & Immunology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine

“On behalf of the graduating class of 2024 and GW nursing, I want to extend our heartfelt gratitude for the inspiring speech you delivered at our graduation ceremony. Thank you for taking the time to join us and contribute so meaningfully to our special day. Your presence and message made our graduation truly memorable.”
– Dr. Majeda El-Banna, Vice Dean George Washington School of Nursing

“Your presentation at our WTBD TB event was terrific (as usual) and has received much praise”
– Ann Scarpita, Division of Disease Control and Public Health Response (DCPHR) Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment

“Thank you again, Maria for your critically important work and for amplifying the legacy of these remarkable women.”

– Dr. J. Margo Brooks Carthon, Director, Barbara Bates Center for the Study of the History of Nursing

“This was beyond Wonderful! You graced us!  Thank you!”
– Wintonbury Historical Society

“We already have one professor who will be using your book in her feminist theory course. There’s a lot of buzz at my university about your book!”
– Assistant Professor of Nursing, South Carolina Downstate

“Thank you for what you do, and for doing it for the Global TB Summit.”
– Dr. Wendy Thanassi. Sr. Medical Director, TB & Infectious Diseases North America, Qiagen

“This was undeniably one of the BEST (and there were many great events) of the AANP Conference. It was the grand finale and the icing on the cake.”
– Dr. Trenise Turner

“Thank you for writing a beautiful story. In school I never was a fan of history and I believe it was because I never saw myself in it. However, after becoming an adult, I began to read more stories on black history. Ones that gave me a sense of pride. Your book is now one of those stories. I appreciate you telling the beautiful story about a group of resilient and compassionate women…I am grateful for you. May God bless you!”
– Ayesha Wright, Mary Mahoney Professional Nurses Association

“This is so moving…this book shows how individual courage and empathy can bridge divides. Thank you for choosing to uncover and honor a story that history had erased.”
– Susan Wanijiru, Qiagen Keynote

“This session was phenomenal! One of the best, and that’s saying a lot!”
– Candy Magaña, Director Health Equity & Social Impact, Humana