The work of today's Black midwives and doulas is part of a powerful legacy rooted in the history of Black birthwork. For centuries, Black midwives have served as healers, caretakers, and advocates, ensuring safe births and holistic care for their communities despite oppression and systemic barriers (Terrell, 2020). This tradition dates back to African midwifery, where birth was seen as a sacred event, and midwives were highly respected for their expertise. Using traditional herbal medicines, hands-on birthing techniques, and spiritual rituals, these midwives provided care that extended beyond labor and delivery to include pregnancy and postpartum healing.
The history of Black midwifery is one of survival and strength. From the revered midwives of pre-colonial Africa to the Granny midwives of the American South, Black midwives have always been more than birth attendants—they are healers, advocates, and pillars of their communities . Even as medical institutions sought to erase and replace them, Black midwives persisted, ensuring that birthing people received compassionate, skilled care when hospitals were inaccessible, unwelcoming, or dangerous for Black birthing people.
Today, midwives and doulas continue this legacy, standing on the shoulders of those who came before them. As Black women continue to face higher rates of maternal and infant mortality due to systemic racism and social drivers of health—such as unequal access to quality healthcare, financial barriers, and the chronic stress of discrimination—midwifery and doula care remain critical. The legacy of Black midwifery lives on in every birthworker who advocates for respectful, patient-centered care and in every mother who receives the support she deserves.
This exhibit includes a timeline curated by Shafia Monroe, honoring the enduring contributions of Black midwives. It showcases their role in shaping birthwork, from traditional practices to modern advancements. We also highlight legendary Black midwives such as Maude Callen, Susie Carey, and her daughter Amanda Carter, whose dedication transformed maternal care in their communities. Additionally, we recognize Brittany Mbong, the only practicing Black Certified Nurse Midwife in Fresno, who serves families at BLACK Wellness & Prosperity Center and with Dr. Kopacz at Fresno Women’s Medical Group. Some imagery captures her working alongside doulas, emphasizing their essential role in improving outcomes for mothers and babies.
Early Roots of Black Midwifery
The history of Black midwifery dates back to ancient times. One of the earliest recorded stories is in the Book of Exodus (1:15-21), where two Nubian midwives, Shiphrah and Puah, defied the Pharaoh’s orders to kill all newborn Hebrew boys, choosing instead to protect life (Black Midwifery Collective, 2024).
According to Sharon Robinson in the Journal of Nurse-Midwifery (1984), the first African women arrived in America in 1619, bringing vital healing practices with them. These women, forcibly brought to the Americas through the transatlantic slave trade, became the primary source of birth care for both enslaved and free Black women, as well as for white women in many Southern communities. These midwives, often referred to as “Granny midwives,” were respected for their knowledge and skill, which played a crucial role in the early development of American midwifery, with wisdom passed down through generations (Suarez, 2020).
The Rise of Obstetrics and Challenges for Midwives
By the 1700s and 1800s, the medical profession was changing. Obstetrics grew, and male doctors began replacing midwives, especially among wealthier white communities (Robinson, 1984). While midwives were being pushed out of cities and upper-class families, they continued to serve Black families in the rural South. This transition, however, was not simply a phase-out—it was a targeted effort to remove Black midwives from the birthing process. Laws, regulations, and public health campaigns portrayed Black midwives as unqualified or dangerous, despite their long-standing expertise.
Throughout the 1900’s, Black midwives in the South remained the heart of their communities, helping women give birth when hospitals were often inaccessible. As the 20th century progressed, clinical obstetrics became more dominant, and midwifery, particularly within Black communities, became increasingly marginalized. Despite these efforts, Black midwives continued to provide essential care, ensuring their communities had access to compassionate and skilled birth support.
Midwives and Doulas Today: Their Impact and Role in Birth
Today, although hospital births have become the norm, midwives and doulas continue to play a vital role in maternal health, carrying forward the legacy of Black midwifery. Their work is crucial for Black women, who face higher risks during childbirth due to systemic racism, mistreatment, and bias in healthcare.
For centuries, Black midwives served as the primary caregivers, offering skilled, compassionate, and culturally rooted care. The Granny midwives of the South—like Mary Frances Hill Coley, Maude Callen, and Susie Carey—were essential in ensuring safe births in rural areas where hospitals were either inaccessible or discriminatory. These midwives not only delivered babies but also provided holistic support, serving as healers, advocates, and educators (National Museum of African American History & Culture, 2019).
Today, Certified Nurse Midwives (CNMs) are trained healthcare providers who work primarily in hospitals, birth centers, and medical offices (Our Bodies Ourselves, 2022). CNMs approach pregnancy and birth as a natural process rather than a medical condition, focusing on holistic, patient-centered care that allows mothers more control over their experience. Modern midwives center their care on dignity, respect, and patient autonomy, ensuring that women—especially Black women—receive the support they deserve. Research shows that when midwives are integrated into US health systems and lead care, there are better outcomes; including increased breastfeeding, reduced interventions, increased vaginal delivery, and lower neonatal death (Vedam et al., 2018).
Certified Nurse Midwives provide:
Prenatal care: Monitoring the health of the mother and baby, offering guidance on nutrition and wellness, and preparing for childbirth.
Labor and delivery support: Assisting with safe deliveries in hospitals, birth centers, or at home while using pain management techniques.
Postpartum care: Helping mothers recover after birth, supporting breastfeeding, and ensuring the baby is healthy; newborn care up to the 28th day of life.
Women’s Health/Gynecological Care: Providing care across the lifespan outside of pregnancy, such as birth control, annual screening and exams, pap smears, menopause treatment
Alongside midwives, doulas play an important role in birth support, carrying forward the nurturing presence that Black midwives have embodied for generations. While doulas do not provide medical care, their advocacy and emotional support can make a significant difference in birth outcomes. Studies show that having a doula present can lead to lower rates of medical intervention and higher satisfaction with the birthing experience.
Doulas offer:
Emotional support: Encouraging and keeping mothers well-informed.
Physical support: Using massage, breathing techniques, and movement to ease pain and discomfort during labor.
Advocacy: Helping mothers understand their rights and communicate with medical staff to ensure they receive the care they want and deserve.
Postpartum support: Assisting with breastfeeding, newborn care, and emotional well-being after childbirth.
BLACK Doula trainees reviewing birth positions and techniques.
Honoring Black Midwives
Today, we continue to honor the legacy of Black midwifery through the lives and work of these women. They not only helped bring babies into the world but also supported their communities and fought for better care despite systemic challenges.
Mary Frances Hill Coley
Mary Frances Hill Coley, born in 1900, was a respected lay midwife in Albany, Georgia. She delivered over 3,000 babies throughout her career and was featured in the 1952 documentary All My Babies, which showcased her skills as a midwife. This film helped preserve the legacy of Black midwives during an era when hospitals were becoming the preferred method of childbirth.
Learn more about Mary here: www.blackwpc.org/marycoley
Maude Callen
Maude Callen, born in 1898 in Quincy, Florida, was a registered nurse midwife who spent over 40 years serving the rural community of Pineville, South Carolina. Many of the residents of Pineville were former slaves who lived in tar shacks lit by oil lamps at the edge of what is known as “Hell Hole Swamp.” Callen often had to park her car and walk through mud, woods, and creeks to reach her patients (Original Life Magazines, 2024). She operated a community clinic out of her home, miles from any hospital, where patients would often arrive in the middle of the night by oxcart.
In 1936, Callen became a public health nurse with the Berkeley County Health Department (South Carolina African American History Calendar, 2022). In this role, she trained hundreds of midwives and educated young Black women on essential prenatal care, labor support, safe delivery practices, and newborn care.
In 1951, Life magazine featured a twelve-page photographic essay showcasing Callen's work, captured by renowned photojournalist W. Eugene Smith. Smith spent several weeks accompanying Callen at her clinic and during her community rounds (African American Registry, 2024). He described her as “the most completely fulfilled person I have ever known.”
Callen delivered between 600 and 800 babies during her career and continued serving her community even after retirement, including volunteering with the Senior Citizens Nutrition Council. Her dedication to improving maternal and infant health left a lasting impact, inspiring generations of healthcare providers and midwives.
Amanda Carey Carter and Susie Carey
Midwifery was a family tradition for Amanda Carey Carter, a fourth-generation midwife who delivered black and white babies throughout Prince Edward County. Her mother, Susie Carey, was also a midwife. Together, they delivered hundreds of babies in central Virginia, making lasting contributions to their communities.
Sources:
African American Registry. (2024, November 8). Maude E. Callen, Nurse, and Midwife born. African American Registry. https://aaregistry.org/story/maude-e-callen-nurse-midwife-born/
Black Midwifery Collective. (2024, November 6). History of Midwifery | Honoring Black Midwives & Traditions. Black Midwifery Collective. https://blackmidwiferycollective.org/advocacy-birth-justice/history-of-midwifery/
National Museum of African American History & Culture. (2019). Midwives: Tradition and Transition. National Museum of African American History & Culture. https://www.searchablemuseum.com/midwives-tradition-and-transition/
Original Life Magazines. (2024, March 26). Maude E. Callen: Nurse Midwife - The Angel of Hell Hole. Original Life Magazines. https://www.originallifemagazines.com/maude-e-callen-the-angel-of-hell-hole/
Our Bodies Ourselves. (2022). The Historical Significance of Black Doulas and Midwives. Our Bodies Ourselves. https://ourbodiesourselves.org/health-info/the-historical-significance-of-black-doulas-and-midwives
Robinson, S. A. (1984). A historical development of midwifery in the black community: 1600–1940. Journal of Nurse-Midwifery, 29(4), 247–250. https://doi.org/10.1016/0091-2182(84)90128-9
South Carolina African American History Calendar. (2022, December 8). Maude Callen - South Carolina African American History Calendar. South Carolina African American History Calendar. https://scafricanamerican.com/maude-callen/
Suarez, A. (2020). Black midwifery in the United States: Past, present, and future. Sociology Compass, 14(11). https://doi.org/10.1111/soc4.12829
Terrell, E. (2020, June 18). Honoring African American Contributions in Medicine: Midwives | Inside Adams: Science, Technology & Business. Blogs.loc.gov. https://blogs.loc.gov/inside_adams/2020/06/honoring-african-american-contributions-in-medicine-midwives/
Vedam, S., Stoll, K., MacDorman, M., Declercq, E., Cramer, R., Cheyney, M., Fisher, T., Butt, E., Yang, Y. T., & Powell Kennedy, H. (2018). Mapping integration of midwives across the United States: Impact on access, equity, and outcomes. PLOS ONE, 13(2), e0192523. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0192523
Wilkie, L. A. (2003). The Archaeology of mothering : an African-American midwife’s tale. Routledge.
Youtube. (2014). “Angel in Twilight” Maude Callen -- Nurse-Midwife. Youtube. https://youtu.be/jZnveOj57F0?feature=shared