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Throughout our history, Black women have been the backbone of maternal and infant care in our communities, preserving traditions, passing down wisdom, and ensuring the well-being of generations. From the skilled hands of the Granny Midwives of the South who guided safe births for centuries, to the powerful voices of the women who began the Reproductive Justice movement, the impact of these women on Black maternal and infant health cannot be overstated. As we celebrate Black History Month, we honor the legacies of these brilliant minds and talented hands—not as stories of struggle, but as testaments to the intelligence, skill, and love that have always defined Black maternal care.
The Power and Wisdom of Granny Midwives
Before hospitals became the standard for childbirth, midwives were the trusted caretakers of birth in Black communities, especially in the South. Known as Granny Midwives, these elder women passed down deep knowledge of pregnancy, birth, lactation, and postpartum healing through the generations. Their work was not just about delivering babies—it was about nurturing families, supporting mothers, and strengthening entire communities from birth onwards.
Granny Midwives combined ancestral African traditions, herbal medicine, and practical expertise to holistically care for mothers and infants. They understood birth as a natural process, treating it with reverence and ensuring that women felt supported and empowered. Their presence in our communities was a source of comfort and confidence, providing skilled, compassionate care when hospitals were not accessible or welcoming to Black women.
As the medical field evolved, so did the role of midwives. By the early 20th century, childbirth became more medicalized, and midwifery—especially Black midwifery—was gradually pushed aside. However, the wisdom of the Granny Midwives never disappeared. Their knowledge and traditions remained embedded in our communities, carried on by Black birth workers and maternal health advocates.
Even as hospital births became more common, Black midwives continued to serve our communities, adapting to changing times while holding onto the cultural traditions that made their care so impactful. Midwives like Mary Francis Hill Coley worked within the systems of the majority white medical establishments, utilizing their tools and working within their regulations to provide crucial care to vulnerable patients. Today, the legacy of these diligent women lives on in the resurgence of Black midwifery, doula care, and holistic maternal health practices that center the needs and experiences of our people.
The Birth of the Reproductive Justice Movement
The work of Granny Midwives laid the foundation for the Reproductive Justice Movement, a powerful framework created by Black women in the 1990s. The term “Reproductive Justice” was coined in 1994 by a group of twelve Black women who recognized that the mainstream reproductive rights movement did not fully address the unique experiences and needs of Black women. These women were Toni M. Bond Leonard, Reverend Alma Crawford, Evelyn S. Field, Terri James, Bisola Marignay, Cassandra McConnell, Cynthia Newbille, Loretta Ross, Elizabeth Terry, 'Able' Mable Thomas, Winnette P. Willis, and Kim Youngblood.
They defined Reproductive Justice as the human right to maintain personal bodily autonomy, have children, not have children, and parent children in safe and sustainable communities. This framework emphasizes the intersection of reproductive rights with social justice, acknowledging that true reproductive freedom requires access to resources and support systems that allow individuals to make empowered choices about their reproductive lives.
Even before the advent of the Reproductive Justice framework in the 1990s, Black women have been at the forefront of advocating for comprehensive reproductive care. In the 1980s, activists like Dr. Vicki Alexander led community-based initiatives in Oakland, California, to combat high infant mortality rates among Black babies. Their work highlighted the importance of quality prenatal care, protection from sterilization abuse, and access to accurate sexual health information. These efforts underscored the necessity of addressing the broader social determinants of health that impact Black women’s outcomes.
Frameworks like the Reproductive Justice movement show that Black women have always led the fight for reproductive autonomy. Whether through midwifery, community health initiatives, or policy change, Black women have continuously fought to create a world where our mothers and babies are cared for with love, respect, and dignity.
Carrying the Torch Forward
Today, the legacy of Granny Midwives and Reproductive Justice leaders continues to shine. Across the country, Black midwives, doulas, and maternal health advocates are reclaiming birth traditions, supporting families, and reshaping the way we approach maternal care. Their work, and our work here at BLKBRY, is a direct continuation of the wisdom and care that has sustained Black communities for centuries.
By celebrating the history of our movement, we recognize that Black maternal and infant health is not just about overcoming challenges but about honoring a rich tradition of excellence, resilience, and love. Black women's impact on maternal and infant health continues to reverberate throughout countless lives.
This Black History Month, BLKBRY celebrates the past, present, and future of Black maternal and infant care. We uplift the voices of those who came before us and continue their work with joy, determination, and a deep sense of purpose. Caring for Black mothers and babies isn’t just history—it’s our inheritance from those who came before, and it is the legacy we will pass on for generations to come. That’s something worth celebrating.
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