02/16/2025
Mama Nasrah Smith, affectionately known as Mama Osun, was a pillar of midwifery in Georgia, dedicating over 45 years to serving families in both rural and urban communities. Beginning her journey in the 1970s, she rooted her practice in traditional customs, founding Birthing Strong Communities as a testament to the power of collective care. She believed deeply in the ancestral nature of birthwork, carrying forward the wisdom of those who came before her while advocating for better maternal and infant health outcomes. In her later years, Mama Osun focused on reducing disparities in Black maternal health, coining the phrase "Maternal Wellness" as a way to affirm the importance of speaking life into the realities we seek to create. Her impact on midwifery stretched far beyond the families she served—she was a guiding force in legitimizing the practice and reclaiming it as an essential part of Black history and survival.
Mama Nasrah was also a fierce advocate for policy change, working to ensure that Community Midwives could achieve certification regardless of how they entered the profession. She understood that safeguarding midwifery meant protecting both the legacy and the future of birthwork. As a traditional midwife with ancestral ties to Native American, West Indian, and African American lineages, she honored the sacred art of home birth, standing alongside parents as they made informed choices about how and where to welcome their children. Her legacy of service, wisdom, and advocacy continues to inspire generations of birthworkers. Mama Nasrah transitioned in June 2022, but her spirit and teachings live on in the many lives she touched.