9th International Black Midwives and Healers Conference: Honoring Our Past and Embracing Our Future

The 9^th International Black Midwives and Healers Conference, “Honoring Our Past and Embracing Our Future” took place October 9^th-11^th, 2015 in Portland, Oregon. This conference brought together Doulas, Midwives and Healers from across the African Diaspora to develop solutions to various issues affecting Black Midwives today. Originator Shafia Monroe, Founder/President of International Center for Traditional Childbearing (ICTC), created a safe place for Black Midwives to freely discuss concerns of the unjust toward Midwives of Color within the Midwifery Profession. Conference coordinator Zalayshia Jackson, did a wonderful job organizing workshops, entertainment and plenary sessions that inspired and informed all in attendance.

The ceremony opened with a libation from musical story teller brother Askari, accompanied by Shekinah Shakur. He sang the joyful sound of our villages "Before The Invasion" when he flowed into the sound of  “Disruption” at that point where our villages were ripped a part, you could almost hear the cries of our ancestors. As he went from one instrument to another singing “one jump, two jump, three jump, four… jump’n, jump’n, jump’n here comes some more,” every soul in the room became one heart, beating as a unified spirit. Mah Mah Shekinah’s shekere established the baseline as Baba Askari reminded us, “We are our ancestors returned! We carry them in our blood, passed down through our children and grandchildren! We didn’t lose our heart and soul when our African-ness become american-ness down in the deltas of Mississippi! Save the Babies! Deliver them from a Sacred Womb into a Sacred Light!”

The conference commenced with Alberto Moreno, Executive Director of the Oregon Health Coalition recalling the voice of Baba Askari over many moons. He gently imparted supportive words sharing a saying from his village, ”Ella Dio a Luz”—She Gave Light. He urged that without Midwives or Parteras ”our babies have become blind and stillborn”—that Midwives literally help women to “bring light out of the darkness.” Commissioner Loretta Smith enforced, “we have the power to make a lasting change”—she stimulated Midwives to “keep up the good work” in improving the outcome of Black Families. Imam Shabazz benevolently spoke of Lucy, inciting the thought—if life started in Africa, why do we… “Have to remind the world now that Black Lives Matter”. His words of truth filled the room, “it is you who bring us through time through the birth process.” Sis Renee Mitchell performed her original poem, Healing Hands. “Have you taken the time to celebrate your hands?”… if any Doula, Midwife or Healer in the room hadn’t, She Did This Day! She pointed out that Midwives are wisdom warriors carrying history in our palms’. Shafia Monroe, Midwife, gave words of comfort—this conference is to “remind ourselves how wonderful and important we are.” Saying that in her day, “there were no Black Midwives (she) didn’t know to stay home”—who was going to help our children if she stayed home after giving birth herself. Her words reflected that of revolutionary times calling for revolutionary measures. The opening ceremony concluded with the words from this year’s Duafe: The Wooden Comb Award’s recipient, Erykah Badu. Affectionately introducing herself as Erykah “Ba-Doula,” she further comforted those listening with her enlightening words, “continue to work as hard as you can on you… be patient with you.” Also emphasizing the special importance of our hands, she shed light on the intentions that are emitted from our hands—“the good that we are and the negative that we are also come from our hands.”

This three-day event covered everything from what is needed to be a Midwife, to Creating a Birthing Center. There were workshops on Afro-Caribbean Rituals, Clinical Skill Building, Herbs, Acupuncture, and Aromatherapy for Doulas and Midwives, and so much more! This conference gave Doulas, Midwives and Healers, at any level of their career, accompanying tools to, ‘Bring in the Light’. Professor Chinyere Oparah, PhD and Talita Oseguera gave a beautiful discourse on Taking Back Our Power and Organizing Birth Justice. A Keynote Luncheon with Deborah Lewis, Midwife, enticed our souls with her unabashed expression of ICM Global Midwifery Standards three pillars—Education, Regulation, & Association. She underlined the importance of regulating Midwifery and what having a strong association does for Black Midwives collectively. She spotlighted that—”a strong association enables us to be a liaison with government and regulatory bodies.” She accented the significance of Midwives teaching Midwives.

A panel of Midwife Professionals convened to discuss USMERA’s Impact on the Future of Midwives of Color. They deliberated on the system of racism within USMERA, and the need to have a seat at the table where our future as Midwives is impacted. There was a viewing of Bringin’ in Da Spirit giving us a look at how Midwifery became a profession in this country. It highlighted the roots of our Fore Mothers who entrenched the groundwork of Midwifery long before Midwives were stolen from Africa. A panel entitled, Developing A Representative Workforce in Midwifery—Challenges, Obstacles and Opportunities exposed the unsightly construction of the Midwifery Profession in today’s society. Keisha Goode, PhD, featured findings from her 2014 study Birthing, Blackness, and The Body: Black Midwives and Experiential Continuities of Institutional Racism. She shared quotes from Midwives and Health Professionals that asserted the need for a space that welcomes Women of Color into Midwifery. A space where aspiring Black Midwives feel respected and valued, and how that space plays an intricate part in our success. One interviewee said, “There is a good ole ‘white girls’ network they look out for each other and we need to do the same.” With her presentation, Women of Color Entering Midwifery: An Assessment of Unmet Need, Nancy Anderson, PhD, painted a picture of our health necessities in the years ahead. She pointed out the fact that, not only are we a part of the global majority, we are steadily becoming the majority in this country. In its current state, the health workforce lacks the representation capable of responding to the need of our population. Claudia Booker, Midwife, contended “Getting the baby out the vagina ain’t that hard… Its growing a baby and a family and a community of healthy, protected, safe, loved, valued, (and) validated individuals.” She brought the reality of accountability, priorities, intentions, and character to our hearts. Impelling, “a community that cannot birth itself will NEVER survive!”

The Gala Banquet and Awards Ceremony gracefully honored deserving Midwives throughout the African Diaspora. Awards included: Duafe The Wooden Comb Award—Erykah Badu, Doula; Unsung Shero Award—Shirley Orr, RN, Martha Drobohyczer, Midwife, and Chonitia Smith, Midwife; Outstanding Leadership Award—Nandi Hill, Midwife, and LaVonne Moore, Midwife; Lifetime Achievement Award—Senator Avel Gordly; and the International Midwives Award—Sister Denise Desil, Midwife. The Keynote Address, Honoring Our Past Lessons From Africa presented by Umm Salaamah Abdullah-Zaimah, Midwife, took us deep in our roots as she reminded the room ”we are electrical beings.” Encouraging that, by tuning your frequency to the sender will insure you receive the message.  She cautioned, the more you ignore your inner voice the softer it gets—till like a muscle, you lose it. She urged Midwives entering midwifery to ask questions and have an Elder for consult. She prompted all midwives to find a relaxing hobby, to laugh, sing, and dance. And most important, have a support team because “some things no one will understand but another Midwife.” We finished out the night laughing, singing, and dancing!

As the conference culminated Doulas, Midwives, and Healers gathered to hear a final Call to Action. Profoundly articulated by Nicole Deggins, Midwife/ Founder of Sista Midwife Productions, LLC, she started with, “If Not Us, Then Who? If Not Now, Then When?” This question echoed through the room with inevitability. Nicole’s voice was soft yet stern as she rallied; the time has come to take care of our responsibility! She insisted this cancer that is plaguing the Black Community is literally and figuratively sucking the life out of us! Yes, we have proven our resilience, power and strength—who else would survive the demands placed upon us but the descendants of warrior women? The vibration of her voice paralleled the vigorous energy of her heartfelt words, “…no! Not saying it is our fault but we are the ones who have to deal with it!” We advocates of birth are the medicine our community needs to heal from these traumas. “If Not Us, Then Who… If Not Now, Then When?” We can shift the paradigm by feeding knowledge to our community. By helping our community, helping the community to understand birth goes so much deeper than just having a baby. Taking every chance allotted to share this information with our community—in the grocery store, at career day, mentor and speak to teen girls, even speaking to our Elders, whatever the stage, use it to spread knowledge! We know Mothers Bring Light, Ella Dio a Luz—Who is Catching Our Light? Someone who doesn’t want your Light to shine, or someone who takes a moment to whisper loving words in your child’s ear affirming they are “protected, loved, and wanted!”

Midwives catch more than babies. We catch our community! And without a strong unified stance, we will be out of time sooner than later. The more we learn about birth, the more our eyes open up to the depths of the birthing process. The better we can convey the importance of who is catching our light! The easier we prepare when called upon to bring in that light. We are the welcoming committee, and our jobs last long past nine months of gestation. We have to empower each other while promoting the sisterhood of our roots! We have to support, comfort, and hold the door of opportunity open for our Sisters of Color. We have to utilize the bridge between youth and elder to pass down our African Traditions of Midwifery. We have to come together, and pioneer pipeline programs into the healthcare workforce to ensure our population is spoken for in years to come. “If Not Us, Then Who? If Not Now, Then When?”

For more information on The International Center for Traditional Childbearing or The 9^th International Black Midwives and Healers Conference: Honoring Our Past and Embracing Our Future please visit www.ICTCMidwives.org. To be added to a directory of Black Doulas and Midwives or, to find a Black Doula or Midwife near you, please visit www.SistaMidwife.com.

 Love Is Light, Peace! 
Article by - SiStar Ignite Incite