02/12/2026
Honoring Black birth workers, the midwives and maternal health leaders who were once at the forefront of maternity care in the United States.
For generations, midwives, many of them Black women, safely delivered babies, guided families through pregnancy and postpartum, and served as trusted anchors of maternal care in their communities. Midwifery is one of the oldest health practices in human history.
In the early 20th century, federal and state policy shifts, including regulations that followed the Sheppard-Towner era, reshaped maternity care systems and reduced the role of community midwives, pushing many Black birth workers to the margins and away from formal recognition.
Today, only about 8% of U.S. births involve a midwife, despite strong evidence that midwife-led care improves outcomes and patient experience.
This video features Certified Nurse Midwife Tracie Brown, who serves predominantly Black families at a birthing center in Washington, DC, continuing a legacy of culturally grounded, community-based birth care.
We honor the past. We support the present. We advocate for the future of equitable maternal care.
