On October 27, the Birthmark Doula Collective hosted the Black Births Matters conference here in New Orleans. The organizers of the event tackled critical issues, while intentionally placing Black women at the center of every conservation. Comprised of breakout sessions and panels, the conference highlighted the increasing number of complications Black women face before, during, and after their pregnancies, such as postpartum depression, trauma, and death. Although these were difficult issues to tackle, the organizers created a space for birth workers, Black mothers, and allies to unite and support each other in efforts to advocate, challenge, and deconstruct the systems that dehumanizes Black mothers.

The conference opened with an introductory speech from a member of the Birthmark Doula Collective, followed by an address from one of the white organizers to the white women in the room. “This is a space for us to listen. Not for us to center ourselves.” The silence in the room established an agreement that this was a space to center and liberate Black women and mothers.
 
While focusing on the Black experience of mothering, the speakers discussed the intersection of mental health with these topics. One particular session, “Healing the Maternal Line: Empowering Black Women with Difficult Mother-Daughter Relationships,” aimed at the healing process for survivors of abuse and toxic parenting relationships. Facilitated by Isis Rose, who is a new mother, doula, and currently pursuing her Ph.D. in anthropology from the University of Illinois, the workshop named trauma as the all-encompassing root of difficult relationships.
 
As the session concluded, two soon-to-be mothers received advice from other participants, advising them to tell their daughters the histories of their families, to be open with their daughters, and to raise them with the ability to escape the “generational curses” put on their families through the systems of historical trauma.
 
During the “Mothering and Mental Health Panel Discussion,” the panelists, a group of local birth worker’s and women’s health specialists, provided insight into the kind of support Black women need during their pregnancies. One of the panelists, Nana Anoa Nantambu, commented, “I don’t know any mother who doesn’t need mental health support.”
 
Deon Haywood, the Executive Director of Women with a Vision, presented her keynote speech and reflected on the love and support she had from her grandmother that helped her through experiences as a young mother and throughout her life. Continuing the conversation of support, the conference ended with Linda Villarosa, a contributing writer for The New York Times, discussing her time documenting the supportive relationship between Simone Landrum, a woman who had experienced pain from a medical system that failed her, and her doula, Latona Giwa, a co-founder of the Birthmark Doula Collective. Despite facing doctors who did not believe her and losing a child during pregnancy, Simone strengthened herself with knowledge to withstand her doctors. With the help of her doula, Simone’s story illuminated how all Black women should feel: empowered.
 
Within the short time frame, the conference organizers, speakers, and participants accomplished what we should do every day: believe, uplift, and respect Black women and mothers.

North

Racial Equity Coordinator, Massachussets Dept. of Public Health MA

Technical Analyst Youth Policy, Participation and Leadership, Sexual Reproductive Health Branch NY

Sexual and Reproductive Health Clinical Advisor, Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Boston, MA Requirement(s): 3 years of full-time, or equivalent part-time, experience as a registered nurse in public health nursing or community health nursing work or a Graduate degree with a major in public health nursing, community health nursing, or public health

Family Planning/Reproductive Health Associate, Plan International, Washington, D.C.
Requirement(s): MPH, MA in demography, international relations or development, public policy, or equivalent; 3+ years of full-time professional experience in public health, demography, health economics, policy formulation, or other related field

Sexual and Reproductive Health Program Assistant, The Women’s Refugee Commission, New York, NY
Requirement(s): Bachelor’s degree

Program & Partnerships Manager, Chicken & Egg Pictures, Brooklyn, NY

Program Assistant, Ford Foundation, New York, NY
Requirement(s): Bachelor’s degree with a minimum of 1-2 years of relevant office experience or equivalent work experience

Fall 2019 Legal Fellowship, Reproductive Freedom Project, ACLU New York, NY Requirement(s): third-year law student or recent law graduate

Supervisor, Initiating Change Around Reproductive Empowerment, CAMBA, New York, NY Requirement(s): Licensed Master’s degree in Social Work; two years of supervisory experience, or Licensed Bachelor’s degree in Nursing (RN or NP) and three years of supervisory experience

Project Coordinator, CAMBA, New York, NY
Requirement(s): Bachelor’s degree and two years of applicable experience and/or equivalent experience; Master’s degree preferred

Harm Reduction Counselor, Tapestry, Springfield, MA

Gender & Sexuality Education Specialist, Amherst College, Amherst, MA
Requirement(s): Bachelor's degree in Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies, Feminist Studies, Queer Studies, Trans Studies, Ethnic Studies, Sociology, Social Work, Education, or related fields that center gender and sexuality or 4 years of related work experience will be considered in lieu of a degree

Multiple Positions at Partnership for Maternal & Child Health of Northern NJ
Requirement(s): Associate’s degree or 60 semester hours from an accredited institution of higher learning in a related field; additional education is preferred

Campaign Coordinator, ReproAction, Washington, D.C.

Digital Marketing Officer, Women for Women International, Washington, D.C.
Requirement(s): Bachelor’s degree in marketing, business, computer science or related field; 3-5 years of relevant work experience is preferred

Abortion Rights and Reproductive Health Researcher, Washington, D.C.
Requirement: Minimum Bachelor’s degree. Preferred in media/communication, women’s and gender studies, public-policy, pre-law or legal studies, or finance.

Midwest

Health Planning Administrator, Columbus, OH

Doula, Healthy Families Illinois, IL

South

Executive Director, American Pregnancy Association, Irving, TX
Requirement(s): 4-year degree

Field Coordinator, Texas Latina Advocacy Network, Brownsville, TX
Requirement(s): prior community organizing or political campaign experience is required

Field Coordinator, Texas Latina Advocacy Network, Houston, TX
Requirement(s): prior community organizing or political campaign experience is required

Bilingual Resource Advocate, STAR, Baton Rouge, LA

Staff Attorney, STAR, Baton Rouge, LA
Requirement(s): licensed to practice law in Louisiana

Canvasser, Unanimous Jury Coalition, New Orleans and Lafayette, LA

West

Volunteer and Supporter Engagement Coordinator, Planned Parenthood San Diego, CA

Reproductive Health Program Coordinator, Arizona Dept. of Health Services AZ

Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights Program Director, Global Fund for Women, San Francisco, CA
Requirement(s): degree in a related field; minimum 7 years of experience in women’s empowerment work globally; at least 3 years of experience in grant-making and program design and implementation

Legal/Regulatory Counsel, California Planned Parenthood Education Fund, Sacramento, CA Requirement(s): admission to California bar; 2-5 years regulatory and/or healthcare law experience

Family Support Specialist, First Steps Escondido, CA
Requirement(s): Bachelor's degree in Child Development, Social Work, Psychology, Public Health, Maternal/Child Health, Education or a human services/sciences field; Master’s degree is preferred; bilingual in English and Spanish

Reproductive Health Specialist, Planned Parenthood, Eureka, CA
Requirement(s): Associate's degree or equivalent from 2-year college or technical school; or 6 months to 1 year related experience and/or training; or equivalent combination of education and experience