Black Women - US Everywhere, US Taking Ownership, US Getting Paid - in Birthwork

1/7/2020 Comments

Black Women... US Everywhere, US Taking Ownership, US Getting Paid... in Birthwork

"I want US to get to a place where we are no longer working from lack in ourselves or assuming lack in each other. That's what I want and that is critical to me as a Black business owner... I believe we have martyred ourselves long enough." ~ Samantha Olivia Griffin

This is Sam.

I have no idea why this seems like an appropriate way to introduce someone as awesome as Samantha Olivia Griffin, but it seems okay. There is something about Sam that makes her easy to approach, such that a simple introduction is all that is needed to make a genuine connection with her.

Our conversation was very meaningful and restorative to me. I relate to her in so many ways, which makes talking with her fun. I honor the work she is doing through DC Metro Maternity and appreciate that she is committed to presenting birthwork to Black women in a way that acknowledges the disparities we can face in care during the childbearing year, regardless of our elevated class, profession or economic status.

Sam is unapologetic about her desire to see Black birthworkers EVERYWHERE and she is doing her part to make that happen. Enjoy our talk!

Topics discussed:

Being unapologetic about focusing on Black women
Self-segregation vs Protection
Black women being the Hershey kiss vs the chocolate chips
Celebrating the growth of Black birthworkers
When you don't view Blackness as a deficit...
The diversity of Black thought in birth culture
Not getting caught up in the bureaucracy of birthwork
"The danger of the single story..."
Having an empathetic spirit in birth as a Black birthworker
"Advocacy" as a Black birthworker
Complicated concepts in online conversations
"Amplifying" the voices of Black women in birth
Navigating the birth space as a Black birthworker
Deputizing the partners to help them show up in birth
Helping create partnership in couples while birthing
How melanin overrides class, status, education, etc. in birth disparities
"Owning" who you are in birthwork
Ensuring that Black women have options

Sam and I tend to whisper a lot when we are in each other's presence...

Sam offers these words of gratitude:

"There are many whose work I admire and am grateful for. But I'll specifically name those who've had the most direct impact: Aza & Cassie of Mamatoto Village, Randy & the ProDoula team. And because I believe that legacy matters, a great grandmother that I didn't realize was a midwife until I was years into being a doula."

Listen to the Podcast:

Connect with Samantha Olivia:

Website: http://www.dcmetromaternity.com/
Email: samantha@dcmetromaternity.com
Phone: 202.827.5652
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/dcmetromaternity/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dcmetromaternity/

Comments

What are YOU waiting for to start learning about how to care for women during the childbearing year? Whether you are considering a career in birthwork, want to learn to help your family and friends or desire to be a resource for your community, "10 THINGS" is your starting place! Learn from from a Black historical perspective... learn from "someone who looks like you"... STOP WAITING... START LEARNING RIGHT NOW!

The voices of Black women have long been censored and/or edited. These conversations with Dr. Doula are an opportunity for Black women to share their truths and experiences in birth and birth culture in their own voices.

In other words, "She said what she said..."

When we help Birth HERstories 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 Black 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.

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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