We are so grateful for this honour! Capturing the compelling stories of Star and Raven was a profound journey, and this award is a tribute to the unwavering resilience of Black women. We are thankful for the recognition and celebration of their inspiring narratives.
Read MoreFor Star August, the birth of her first son did not go as planned. August hired an out-of-hospital midwife to guide her through the pregnancy but attended checkups in a hospital as a cost-saving measure . . .
Read More“The numbers don’t lie. They speak for themselves. Black women are dying at the rate of eight times that of white women, and it’s a scary thought of us going to the hospital knowing that we have a higher percentage, a higher rate of dying than our counterparts,” August said. “So we want a safer option.”
Read MoreA 1992 law made traditional midwifery illegal in Illinois — a felony punishable with up to $10,000 in fines or three years in prison. Only nurse midwives are able to provide midwifery services, and in most areas of the state, they’re limited to practicing in hospitals . . .
Read MoreWho can be licensed as a midwife in Illinois is likely to expand soon, but critics say lack of Medicaid coverage is a problem
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Visit our “About Midwifery” page to learn history of Midwifery and what it looks like today.