Let’s get Terri, A POC Midwife, Licensed!
On November 4th, I met Terri at my Racism & Privilege in Birth Workshop. As we talked about how racism and privilege has effected people of color by making it hard to access professions such as midwifery, Terri shared her journey to becoming a midwife, completing school and not being able to afford to pay for her licensing exams, I knew we could make this happen for her and her community!
Read her story below.
“Here's a little more about me, I completed the Master's program at Bastyr this June. I took some time off to travel and find healing from the program. Currently, I'm working with Rainier Valley Midwives, I am also an active doula in the Olympia area, and I birth assist for The Birth House. I teamed up with a black ND/CNM/ARNP and we have some things coming up in the pipeline such as centering groups and community outreach to FOC by creating a safe space for our community. I'm really excited about getting out there and implementing the work that is going to change healthcare in my community.
When I reviewed my stats after graduation, I served 94% white families, that was heartbreaking to me. The last catch I had in school was my first Cambodian baby, that was a special day for me but also in retrospect sad because it took that long to catch a baby that was my culture. I attend the local temple here and I know there are many families having babies, they just aren't seeking out of hospital midwifery care. So my mission is to educate and diversify the community I serve. ”
This our chance to make a difference and increase accessibility to those who need, trust and desire, Terri, a midwife of color!