Midwives Save Lives: An Introduction to the Grand Midwives of America

May 5, 2012 at 7 AM PST/ 10 AM EST

Lest we forget the legacy of generations of Grand Midwives of African descent who birthed and nursed America into being. These Midwives were responsible for providing holistic midwifery and pediatric care, despite the color lines. They were eliminators of puerperal fever, inventors of practice mannequins and practitioners of community health while enslaved and free. Efforts to systematically eradicate the Grand Midwives were precipitated with the promulgation of licensed nursing. Yet the Grand Midwives have continued, and a new generation of Midwives of African descent has emerged. This pictorial PowerPoint presentation will showcase the lifesaving legacy of Grand Midwives from the 1600’s through present day. Featuring Midwives who work to reduce disparities in urban and rural communities stateside and Midwives saving lives globally. Midwives demonstrating a commitment to birthing in tradition and in community, generously offering the world a reproducible model for improving perinatal outcomes and bridging health disparity gaps.