Birth Accountability, Blame & Women of Color

Denise Bolds, MSW, CD(DONA)

Ina Mae Gaskin, Margaret Sanger and J. Marion Sims ... the history of reproductive health in America remains white influenced and supported while women of color, black women face higher negative statistics and blame. Gaskin gave an inflammatory rationale for black women having poor birth outcomes in Texas recently, causing a firestorm of conversation & a petition. Awake In Birth 2017 is having a conversation. Join Denise Bolds MSW,CD(DONA) producer/host with special co-hosts: Ravae Sinclair & Lakeisha Dennis. Ravae Sinclair JD, CLC, CD(DONA), LCCE. Since she began her doula career in 2002, she has supported more than 400 families through a wide variety of birth & postpartum experiences. Currently, Ravae runs her solo practice while serving on the board of directors for DONA International as Intercultural Director & Grievance Chairperson. In addition to her birth work, Ravae is a former State Public Defender & licensed attorney in the State of Wisconsin. Lakeisha M. Dennis, MTS, LCCE, CLC, CD(DONA) is an experienced and certified labor doula, perinatal educator, lactation counselor, former ICAN Chapter Leader and community birth advocate from Newark, New Jersey. She's President of the ICAN Board of Directors, following a successful 2-year term as Chapter Director. She advocates the use of the midwifery model of care as a system for reducing disparities for families of color in New Jersey. Please visit the Facebook event page for more information and engaging posts.