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In 2024, she told Essence, “It’s a sisterhood. It’s childbirth, it’s a ceremony, it’s a spiritual walk. And doulas are not created, they are born. You’re born with that type of heart and patience, and you’re drawn towards the work. I had some very talented and patient mentors, one being Shafia Monroe. Shafia is the founder of the ICTC [the International Center for Traditional Childbearing]. I went through her program after [I’d] participated in 14 births. So, I learned what they call direct-entry midwifery. That means you learn in the field.
I got my certification in 2001 from ICTC where I learned textbook, technical things that I wouldn’t have known. You have the instinct, but you learn to speak the language as a birth worker. Because we didn’t have that before the late 1900s. We didn’t have permission to [be] birth workers. We were doing it, but the ’80s and ’90s [which was] when we really started to be accepted. So a network is necessary and the network shouldn’t exclude the doula.
The doula is the conductor. After pulling everything together, the doula disappears into a corner but still helps and holds space as needed. You become patient. You walk softly. It seeps into your everyday life. You are of service at all times. The greatest among you shall be your servant.”
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