Christy Turlington Directs New Documentary on Maternal Health

The model speaks out about how pregnancy can be women's biggest killer.

Christy Turlington is a model citizen.

The former Calvin Klein supermodel — and Marie Claire contributing editor — is doing her part to advocate for women around the world, particularly those in developing countries with little to no maternal health care access.

Her latest move was directing the documentary No Woman, No Cry, which debuted at the Tribeca Film Festival in New York City this month. In it, the model-turned-activist — who has two children of her own with husband Edward Burns — opens up a dialogue on issues of maternal and child health, including access to safe abortions. (Watch the trailer above.)

In a new article she penned for The Globe and Mail, she urges "all mothers who have survived pregnancy" to campaign for her cause.

"Without all of us coming together on the issue of improved maternal health, there will be no lasting success," she writes. "No woman should die giving life."