I am a spiritual midwife. I call myself that because although I don't have the credentials behind my name, my spirit has been called to this sacred artwork for life. It is something you don't choose, but rather it chooses you. Ask any midwife and they will tell you the same. My journey has been long, whindy, and full of surprises, but I strongly feel this is the road the Creator deemed necessary for me to fully blossom into the kind of midwife that can walk by example and set new standards for our women and community. As my generation of midwives steps through the door, OUR grand midwives are moving on to knew things because they are tired, learning to live for themselves, and reaching new dreams. Black midwives like Makeda Kamara, UmmSalaamah Sondra Abdullah-Zaimah, Nonkululeko Tyehemba, Sarahn Henderson, Shafia Monroe, and the list goes on.
International Day of the Midwife is coming this weekend, May 5, and I start by tipping my hat off to these amazing women who are still with us, inspiring me every day, and revolutionizing midwifery today. If you don't know the true history of midwifery, I urge you to educate yourself. Black midwives are THE foundation of midwifery in American history and NO midwife can ignore this fact. We must all begin to recognize them, honor them, and never forget their works sparked our everlasting flame.
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