2022 fundraising initiative
Black midwives matter
Why is supporting Black midwives in training a community matter? We are collectively answering the call to support birthing people in our communities, in our backyards, and provide them with care that can not affect their birthing outcome, but also save their lives. The birthing people in these systematically marginalized communities need culturally competent midwifery care. Black birthing people are falling through the cracks in traditional health care systems, and many are in need of midwifery care, even if they have to deliver in hospital.
To understand how your aid helps midwives in training specifically, this page will be updated through 2022 with specifics to the student journey. A little insight:
1) Student midwives work for free. They must attend births, work with a preceptor, shadow and perform prenatal and postpartum appointments and meet all requirements provided by NARM (National Association of Registered Midwives).
2) Being on call for birth requires time. Many student midwives (in addition to studying and working) struggle to find supplemental work that fits into their schedule of being on call for birth and/or being in school.
3) Midwifery tools and study tools are expensive. New midwives are in need of equipment, medical tools and even study materials (including books) that can be costly to acquire. Students are also responsible for acquiring and paying for any additional certifications, specialized skill sets or supplemental education.
4) Engaging in midwifery is embodied work. This work deserves to be supported and respected by the communities they serve as well as the communities they serve next to. The path of becoming a midwife is a journey toward deeper self knowing and divine responsibility.
As Black student midwives, we aim to fill a void in the current health care system with traditional, cultural and medically competent skills and knowledge. To thrive in the educational and learning environment, we need your help and collective community support. Thank you for showing up for us.
These funds will used to supply educational materials to Black student midwives and to assist with sustaining the lifestyle of a student midwife prioritizing midwives on the PEP route (Portfolio Evaluation Process).
