Birth HERstory Blog
It's a BLACK BIRTH RENAISSANCE!
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8/25/2019
The Comedic Legend of the Black Breastfeeding Champion in Chicago Who Had an AFRICAN ROAR"You can never, ever, ever be excellent and comfortable. Excellence and comfort do not equate. If you think [that by] being comfortable, excellence is gonna come... Honey, I'm telling you, you'll never be great."
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This conversation is a long time coming, but with the commencement of Black Breastfeeding Week during this last week of August, I thought it a perfect time to introduce people to one of the greatest influences I ever had in the area of lactation. There are few who have made the impact that Rebecca Jackson-Artis did in lactation in the Chicago area while she was involved in birth culture. In fact, you would be hard pressed to find anyone involved in birth in Chicagoland during the beginning of this decade who did not know her or was not influenced by her work or her words.
I mentioned her words for a reason. Anyone who knows Rebecca knows that she has never been one to mince her words. In other words, "She said what she said..." Rebecca has always taken a no non-sense approach to anything she does. Expect extreme candidness throughout this interview. She is also a comedian, so if you are easily offended by words or context, brace yourself. |
Before Rebecca moved to North Carolina five years ago, she served as a lactation activist, sat on boards and advocated for Black families who desired to teach their children based on African principles. During my recorded conversation with her, we talked about the changes that are manifesting in the Chicago area that seemed so far out of reach a half decade ago. Since the beginning of 2019, Black birth workers have begun to offer workshops centered around Black women, marched in the Bud Billiken Parade to highlight Black breastfeeding and hosted the 1st Annual Black Breastfeeding Cookout to introduce the Black community in Chicago to Black birth workers and kick off Black Breastfeeding Week 2019. At each event I have attended, I have thought to myself: "Rebecca would LOVE this!" The seeds she planted all over Chicagoland are not only growing, but they are blooming flowers.
In many ways, Rebecca's influence seemed to be ahead of its time in the Chicago area. And while her influence in birth culture was dynamic, it was short lived. She has returned to her first love - FILM and THE STAGE, though few who have experienced Rebecca's passion in the birth world would ever believe that lactation was not her first love.
Through Sankofa Birth Ambassador Workshops, I encounter women who find themselves drawn to birth work from different professions. I am excited to share a portion of Rebecca's story because I believe it will demonstrate to others the diversity of Black women who are coming to this work. I hope it serves as a reminder that Black women should see NO LIMITS to the ways that they can be a part of birth culture. Rebecca is a wonderful example of how we can use our diverse gifts and talents to save ourselves.
In many ways, Rebecca's influence seemed to be ahead of its time in the Chicago area. And while her influence in birth culture was dynamic, it was short lived. She has returned to her first love - FILM and THE STAGE, though few who have experienced Rebecca's passion in the birth world would ever believe that lactation was not her first love.
Through Sankofa Birth Ambassador Workshops, I encounter women who find themselves drawn to birth work from different professions. I am excited to share a portion of Rebecca's story because I believe it will demonstrate to others the diversity of Black women who are coming to this work. I hope it serves as a reminder that Black women should see NO LIMITS to the ways that they can be a part of birth culture. Rebecca is a wonderful example of how we can use our diverse gifts and talents to save ourselves.
One of the first pictures I ever saw of Rebecca on Facebook
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In 2015, Rebecca captioned this photo: "In honor of World Breastfeeding Week..."
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Socks I crafted for Rebecca with breastfeeding positions before she moved to North Carolina 5 years ago.
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Disclaimer:
Rebecca discusses various aspects of her life and experiences with much candor. Please read the topics that will be discussed. These interviews are not censored or edited.
Topics discussed:
Rebecca offers this gratitude:
My great-grandmother Lue Kelly-Johnson, my grandmother Verna Johnson Turner, my mother Antoinette Rogers Jackson, my doula Isabelle Flegel, my midwives Kathleen Harmon and Sarah Simmons, TLC's A Baby Story and Birth Center, Dr. Alan Colon, PhD, and the African-centered community of women and men who honor the womb. |
Deirdre (asé), Saaudiah, and me after we completed Rebecca's breastfeeding class.
Rebecca and I at a conference 2014 where she was speaking and advocating for Black women and breastfeeding
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Listen to the Podcast:
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Connect with Rebecca and learn about her newest endeavors:
Email: rebeccajacksonartis@gmail.com Website: www.rebeccajacksonartis.com Twitter: @rebeccajackart Instagram: @rebejackart LinkedIn: Rebecca Jackson-Artis YouTube: Rebecca Jackson-Artis Facebook: Black Becky Speaks Facebook: Totally Becky Facebook: The Rebecca Show |
8/24/2019
Bringing THUNDER to International Birth Culture When CHOCOLATE Alone Just Won't Do
"[I want to] bring the wisdom of the grandmothers [abuelas] into modern birth... It's not about being 'the leader'. For me, it's about legacy, not fame. I want to see people rise... The legacy is far more important to me than the fame. And I meet so many people where the fame is more important than the legacy. " ~ Mars Lord
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There has been a recent push for more Black doulas since the challenges of Black women in childbirth have become more publicized. For UK doula, birth educator and advocate, Mars Lord, the current situation necessitates more than a representation of Black women working in birth culture, it requires knowledge of birth based on our historical contexts. It requires our voices to be raised against microaggressions that have the potential to derail important conversations and thwart our efforts toward progress for Black women. Mars would say that it is time to let go of the sweetness and instead realize that we are in a war to save our lives. While there are many differences based on our locations within western culture, ultimately, Black women are fighting the same fight in the U.S. and the UK.
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I have admired Mars Lord and followed her work for a while, and was excited about the opportunity to speak to her face-to-face. I always feel extremely blessed when I meet someone and I notice a natural connection and a kindred spirit, especially when I find these connections with African women internationally. Our conversation was full of laughter from the very beginning. My conversation with Mars confirmed my belief that if Black women are to help ourselves to heal ourselves and save ourselves, we must extend our hands to reach out to other women of African descent, both on the continent and throughout the African Diaspora. We must all connect and unify our strengths to overcome our limitations. It was my pleasure to hear her thoughts and to be able to share them with you.
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Topics discussed:
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Mars expresses this gratitude:
"I'm grateful to Nicola Mahdiyyah Goodall, whose knowledge of birth and the postnatal period is immense. She encourages me to continually learn more. Maisie Hill who has always pushed me to do a little bit more. Jennie Joseph and her hard work and tenacity that encourages me to continue in my birth activism. The friendship of these three women is incredible. And I cannot forget Lorna Phillip and Thando Zwane, my sistas who make me laugh whilst encouraging me and who continually believe in the work that I do. "
"I'm grateful to Nicola Mahdiyyah Goodall, whose knowledge of birth and the postnatal period is immense. She encourages me to continually learn more. Maisie Hill who has always pushed me to do a little bit more. Jennie Joseph and her hard work and tenacity that encourages me to continue in my birth activism. The friendship of these three women is incredible. And I cannot forget Lorna Phillip and Thando Zwane, my sistas who make me laugh whilst encouraging me and who continually believe in the work that I do. "
Listen to the Podcast:
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Here are some ways you can connect to the work Mars is doing:
Phone: +44 07767348462 Email: abueladoula@gmail.com Website: https://MarsLord.co.uk/ Training Website: https://AbuelaDoulas.com/ FB Page: Doula Mars Lord Training FB Page: Abuela Doula LinkedIn: Mars Lord Instagram: @AbuelaDoula Twitter:Abuela Doulas |
7/10/2019
From Being the Only Black Woman in the Room to Breaking Down Walls in Birth for Black Women
"The knowledge... it's in you. It really is. Do what God has called you to do and do it with excellence... Period. Unburden yourself from the burden of expectation of other people, and whatever box that people have put you in, break the walls down and LIVE!" ~ Nicolle Fletcher
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I always tell Nicolle that she is the kind of spirit that I would appreciate learning from. She is one of those sisters that I JUST LOVE! She has such beautiful energy and I have admired Nicolle Fletcher for the birthwork she has been doing in Arkansas for years.
Nicolle Fletcher is a Birth Doula, Postpartum Doula, Lactation Counselor, Childbirth Educator, Dancing for Birth™ Instructor, and a Certified Health Coach. I have watched as she used each of her areas of expertise to improve the birth experiences of women and families. I also noticed when Nicole began to shift her focus toward Black women and began to look for ways to enhance the experiences women of African descent have in birth culture, both those serving mothers and those who are expectant mothers. During our conversation, we discussed what that transition was like for her and how she has adjusted her work toward that end.
Nicolle's shared words of gratitude that were a blessing to me because I was included as a person she shows gratitude toward. Here is what she shared:
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"I am most thankful for women like you Dr. Doula! I have attended multiple birth & postpartum doula workshops from DONA trainers, Spinning Babies Workshops, local agencies, experiential networking and a business consultation with Randy Patterson of ProDoula, however my purpose was fully realized after meeting you. You have inspired me to to remember and reclaim birth for Black women and birth workers."
Topics discussed:
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Listen to the Podcast:
Here are some ways you can connect to the work Nicolle is doing:
Phone: +1 (501) 291-0064
Email: nurturingarrows@gmail.com
Training Website: https://www.NurturingArrowsDoulaCoach.com/
FB Page: https://www.facebook.com/nurturingarrows/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nurturingarrows/
Phone: +1 (501) 291-0064
Email: nurturingarrows@gmail.com
Training Website: https://www.NurturingArrowsDoulaCoach.com/
FB Page: https://www.facebook.com/nurturingarrows/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nurturingarrows/
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When we help Birth HERstory Traditions we are acknowledging the BLACK BIRTH RENAISSANCE that is happening around the world!When we share our stories, practices, or traditions from women of African descent in America, we help preserve African American Birth HERstory. It is our responsibility as descendants of African women who were trafficked to the U.S. to hold their stories and know their practices, so that we are able to continue their tradition of being self-reliant and self-sustaining as communities of Black women. Do you have a birth tradition, story or practice that you would like to share? Do you know someone who could be interviewed that has a story to share that shows the connection between modern Black women and their traditional birth practices? Send Dr. Doula a message and let her know.
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Dr. Doula
My work is informed by my background – experiences, expertise, exposure, education & environment – as a woman, mother, wife, sister, educator, researcher, scholar, advocate, birth ally and legacy builder. #IAmTheAnswer #WeSaveOurselves
(Please note that the information shared on this blog is for information purposes only. Pregnant women should consult their PCP before following any practices found within the Birth HERstory Series Blog.)
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