FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 30, 2024
Contact:
Birth Justice Collaborative
info@birthjusticecollaborative.com
Doula Appreciation Event Celebrates the Unsung Heroes of Maternal Care
An appreciation of invaluable contributions of doulas in addressing Minnesota’s maternal health disparities
St. Paul, Minnesota – As Minnesota addresses maternal healthcare disparities through legislative efforts and organized community initiatives, the Birth Justice Collaborative is thrilled to announce the upcoming Annual Doula Appreciation Event in partnership with the African American Babies Coalition (AABC) and Birth Equity Community Council (BECC), set to take place on May 7th to kick off Doula Appreciation Week. This event aims to honor the tireless work and unwavering dedication of doulas in our communities.
Doulas are the unsung heroes of prenatal and postpartum care, which is especially critical as Minnesota works to address its alarming disparities in maternal health for African American and American Indian mothers and birthing people. Research has shown that doulas can help address these disparities by offering personalized physical and emotional support and by preserving cultural traditions and honoring diverse backgrounds. Doulas undergo specialized training to ensure positive birth experiences, and provide support that is both medically sound and deeply respectful of cultural practices and beliefs.
"Our Doula Appreciation Event seeks to shine a spotlight on these incredible individuals who often work tirelessly behind the scenes," said Shashana Skippingday, Director of Programs at Division of Indian Work. "They embody compassion, expertise, and cultural sensitivity, making childbirth a more empowering and culturally enriching experience for countless families."
The event will showcase a variety of services offered by doulas, alongside a unique "speed dating" format allowing attendees to directly connect with doulas. This setup aims to facilitate dialogue and collaboration, empowering families to find a doula they resonate with for support during and after pregnancy.
About the Birth Justice Collaborative
The Birth Justice Collaborative is an African American and American Indian led coalition advancing maternal health and birth justice by addressing barriers of structural racism, and reconnecting with cultural strengths and wisdom. The BJC currently has two bills relating to planning an African American Homeplace for mothers and doulas, and an American Indian Birthing Center. Birth Justice Collaborative coalition partners include: Native American Community Clinic, Cultural Wellness Center, Division of Indian Work, University of Minnesota Urban Research and Outreach-Engagement Center (UROC), Minnesota Indian Women’s Resource Center (MIWRC), and Northside Healing Space. Learn more at www.birthjusticecollaborative.com.
About the African American Babies Coalition
The African American Babies Coalition and Projects, coordinated by the Wilder Foundation, provides training, education, events and resource distribution focused on building the capacity of health systems in Minnesota to provide culturally sensitive and high quality maternal and infant care to Black and Brown families. We work with nonprofit and civic leaders, researchers, childcare providers, parents and grandparents, and public health professionals from across the Twin Cities who are committed to promoting the healthy development of African American babies. To learn more, please visit www.aabcprojects.org.
About the Birth Equity Community Council
The Birth Equity Community Council, initiated by CityMatCH's Perinatal Periods of Risk (PPOR) tool, focuses on leveraging data to combat infant mortality. Collaborating with like-minded organizations, BEC advocates for policy changes concerning parental leave and doula reimbursement, striving for equitable birth outcomes. Please visit BECC for more information.