02/01/2025
Happy Black History Month!
For centuries, Black midwives and doulas have been the backbone of maternal and infant care in our communities. Dating back to the time of the transatlantic slave trade, African midwives carried their knowledge and traditions to America, providing expert care for both Black and white families.
During slavery and well into the 20th century, Black midwives—often called “granny midwives”—were the primary birth attendants in the South, ensuring safe deliveries despite systemic barriers. Their expertise in herbal medicine, spiritual care, and hands-on experience laid the foundation for modern maternal healthcare.
Today, Black doulas and midwives continue this powerful legacy, advocating for improved birth outcomes and addressing racial disparities in maternal health. Black women are 3-4 times more likely to die from pregnancy-related causes than white women, making the work of Black birth workers more critical than ever.
📸 A December 3, 1951 issue of Life magazine containing a photographic essay by W. Eugene Smith of the midwife Maude E. Callen.
“Nurse Midwife: Maude Callen Eases Pain of Birth, Life and Death,” by W. Eugene Smith, Life, December 3, 1951📸