The grandmother on the porch, the adoptive matron—our communities have always had people who support birthing parents.
Rooted in History, Grounded in Community
From grand midwives who provided care when Black communities were excluded from medical systems to generations of women who supported one another through birth, this work has always been a form of resistance. Community doulas carry this legacy forward, ensuring that birth remains a communal experience rooted in care and empowerment.
Bridging Past and Present in Birth Work
Today’s community doulas see their work as an extension of the practices of Black granny midwives and other ancestral caregivers. They continue to advocate for safer, more respectful care, connecting their work to past efforts to support breastfeeding, perineal care, and alternatives to harmful medical interventions.
A Growing Movement, A Lasting Mission
Community doulas are birth workers on a lifelong mission to strengthen and heal their communities—one birth at a time. They are part of a growing movement that fills a vital role in the circle of care that every birthing person deserves.