<riH' JJortlanò Cßhscrucr
July 14. 2004
Page A3
Midwives Build A Sisterhood For Change
Prenatcil care
improves lives of
women, children.
J ohanna S. K ing
T in P ortland O bserver
W ith its biblical roots found in the
book o f Exodus, m idwifery is an hon
ored and spiritual profession in the
African community. The word m idwife
in many African languages goes hand
in hand with the workings o f a spiritual
healer.
The traditional m idw ife's calling in
cludes giving spiritual guidance, taking
on the role o f a public health activist
and being a community organizer. Many
women have called their decision to
become a m idwife a direct calling from
God. Other women have been moved as
by
Dear Deanna!
I have problems w ith my sister con
stantly giving sweets, candy and junk
food to my nieces and nephews. It
wouldn’t be so bad i f she had dental
insurance. I guess I w orry because
teeth are important and if they’ re ruined
it could hurt their self-esteem. How do
I approach this subject with her? —
N ikki; Omaha, Neb.
a result o f community need.
H istorically, black midwives have
saved the lives o f countless mothers
and babies throughout the U nited
States. They have provided m idw ifery
care not only to their communities, but
also to families outside o f the black
community.
On a mission to enhance the health
and well being o f women and their fam i
lies, the International Center for Tradi
tional Childbearing is taking action.
Focused on preserving the traditional
role o f the m idwife in the black commu
nity. the north Portland based non-profit
organization gives hope to soon to be
mothers.
“ We are devoted to the health and
life o f mothers and their children," said
program founder, Shafia Monroe.
"Here at the International Center for
Traditional Childbearing, we are com
mitted to challenging the many barriers
Ask O
Dear Nikki:
Your sister is rudely making bad deci
sions regarding her children's teeth.
That’s something she'll definitely have
to deal with later. The only thing you
can do is suggest healthy snacks, teeth
friendly treats and be there for the kids
when they have to put their teeth in a ja r
at night.
Dear Deanna!
M y husband's old a ffa ir is tearing me
apart. First we had one ch ild and then
another one before we got married. I
later learned he had an a ffa ir w ith a
woman that stroked his ego during
my first pregnancy. He claim s it was
one tim e but the way she stalked him ,
harassed us and bothered us fo r a
few years made me doubt it. He
confessed when the phone c a lls
started but I s till can’ t get the a ffa ir
out o f my m ind when I look at him . -
SAFEW AY
FOOD & DRUG
Attention
SENIORS
Safeway Senior
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Founder of the International Center for Traditional Childbearing. Shafia M.
Monroe is a 20-year midwife veteran who believes in the Southern style of
healing, using the laying on of hands, herbs and prayer for pregnant women
and newborns.
Real People, Real Advice
Dear Concerned:
A n advice column kno w n fo r its fearless
approach to reality based subjects!
Sounds like "Chuckie” missed a few
butt whoopings and strict discipline.
She's been severely neglected, brain
washed and manipulated by her mother
and grandmother. Regardless o f her
age, your husband’s right by not g iv
ing up on her. Once she turns 18, she
can operate o f her own free w ill. That
may be the time your husband can help
her get counseling to improve her self
worth and prevent a rocky adulthood.
-Anonym ous; O n-Line Reader
Dear Anonymous:
You set yourself up fo r drama by get
ting pregnant without the wedding ring
in the first place. You can't lay too
much blame on his actions because he
wasn’t o ffic ia lly your man. I f this is in
the past, you need to leave it there.
Unless he’ s doing something that’ s
current then get over it. You’ re causing
yourself pain and agony from an old
wound. Seek professional or spiritual
counseling to get to the root o f your
pain, squash it and keep it moving.
2004
Dear Deanna!
M y 17-year old step-daughter is a
mess. M y husband pays child support
but the mother spends it. She lives
with the grandmother who w on’ t let
him talk to her or visit. She told the
court he was an abusive stranger.
They blocked him school visits but
then she invited him to a basketball
game. She’ s cursed out everybody,
ran away from home, steals, and can’t
get along w ith her mother but my
husband still wants a relationship with
her. -Concerned; Los Angeles
A sk D eanna is written b y D eanna M.
W rite
A sk
D eanna!
E m a il:
a sk d e a n n a ! @ ya h o o .co in o r w rite:
D eanna M. P.O. S o x 88847, Los A n
g e le s . CA 9 0 0 0 9 :
W e b site :
u’HH’. askdeanna. com
to the health o f black women," Monroe
said. “ When we as a people know our
history, our self-esteem is raised and
then health care and consciousness
improve. In returning to the ancient art
o f m idw ifery, we are no longer suc
cumbing tooverwhelming systemic rac
ism. We are taking our health into our
own hands."
By e du catin g and a d v o c a tin g
through community workshops, study
groups or just one-on-one support, the
center offers guidance and support for
woman to better tak4 care o f their un
born and newborn babies.
The center is also trying to meet the
needs o f women who want to become
midwives themselves to improve family
health in theircom munity while educat
ing and supporting pregnant woman
desiring to deliver healthy babies.
Formore information, visit the center’s
website at www.blackmidwives.org.
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