Comments on: Radical Doula???

By: Melissa J

Melissa J — Tue, 25 Oct 2011 18:55:37 +0000

I’m white and I’m broke as hell lol. I would like to have the opportunity to recieve my care through a doula/midwife but I can’t afford it on my own and my state insurance doesn’t cover midwifery services. I am looking into getting training to become a Doula however. I am fascinated with the work you do and I also believe that EVERY woman deserves to have a choice about how her child/children are brought into this world!

By: radicaldoula

radicaldoula — Fri, 22 Jul 2011 18:57:06 +0000

Welcome Cindy! So glad to connect with you, and congrats on the important work you’re doing in Chicago.

By: cindy

cindy — Fri, 22 Jul 2011 18:54:34 +0000

Wow, its like I found home! I am a doula from Chicago that works through a social service agency serving teen moms in low income neighborhoods. At my DONA workshop, my coworker and I were the only ones that were not going to be private doulas and were going to be providing our services free of charge. I felt very alienated and believed they did not understand my background or that of women of color who have constantly been fighting for the right to control our bodies (hello sterilazation of Puerto Rican woman!!!!). I luckly now work with an agency that helps unite doulas from the state of illinois through trainings and workshops. I am very happy to see that people across the country can push the limit on what it means to be a doula. We often find ourselves saying that when you go into a home where there are financial issues, drug abuse, domestic violence, lack of education etc.. you really end up “doula-ing” the entire family. I am so excited that I can use this blog as a resource to keep up to date on the scoop and provided the best info for my girls!

By: Rose Mitchell

Rose Mitchell — Thu, 14 Jul 2011 20:10:47 +0000

This is fantastic! I’m so thrilled I found you!

By: Lety Murphy

Lety Murphy — Sat, 25 Jun 2011 09:07:18 +0000

I am so glad I stumbled upon your blog. Your goals as a Doula and an activists are awesome and all so inspiring. I relate in so many ways! I will begin my Doula certification process next month and I am so excited to begin. I finished my undergraduate degree in Sociology in 2007 and was contemplating becoming a Doula during that time but decided to go to graduate school instead. I graduated May 2010 with a Masters degree in Public Administration and Policy Analysis, but at the end of my first year of grad school I got a boring job working as a Research Analyst for the State of Missouri. March 2011 I found out I was getting laid off and the same week I found out I am pregnant. So I decided to go on a quest to find the right health care provider and a Doula. In the meantime and lots of inspiration I decided to do what I have aspired for years -to become a Doula! In addition, I have been trying to find a non profit to start up and I think I may have found a topic-Doula services for those in need. In addition, I am also Hispanic and was a teen mom who supports women health care policies and Pro-choice. I will continue to follow your blog and hope one day to follow in your footsteps.

By: DAVINA

DAVINA — Sun, 01 May 2011 06:30:41 +0000

I have so much in common with you, Thank You for creating this space for all of us. With Love………
Your Cuban, Lesbian, Radical, Feminist, Doula, Abortion Working Hermana

By: radicaldoula

radicaldoula — Wed, 06 Apr 2011 02:52:45 +0000

Hi Leila–

Awesome! Yes the NYC Doula Project is very much running and there are groups around the country that have started as well.

If you email me (radicaldoulaATgmailDOTcom) the info about your group I can add it to the volunteer doula programs page.

And you should get in touch with the Doula Project folks to see if they can support your efforts!

Best,
Miriam

By: Leila Counihan

Leila Counihan — Wed, 06 Apr 2011 02:34:33 +0000

Hey there Radical Doula,

I am a doula from MA and I just started an Abortion Doula Project branch here. I am ultra excited. I wonder if there are other projects going on other than the one in NY. Is that one still running?

Anyway, it would be fantastic if you could let your followers know there is one in MA.

Thanks and much love to you,
Leila Counihan

By: karen hinz

karen hinz — Tue, 12 Oct 2010 17:59:30 +0000

hey there! i am 30 years old a mother of two (pregnant with third). bi but have been in an open and commited relationship with my man ray for 13 years. i was trained in minneapolis minnesota by dona in a special program to serve urban teenage native american mothers. the training was beautiful and empowering but the program itself never materialzed. shortly after the training i moved away.i really need an opportunity to use my training.i am hoping your website can help me connect with folks who can use my experience and training. i too am pro choice,free thinking,nontradirional in every way.had both my kids at home the 2nd with no midwife just me and ray.i would love an opportunity to bring more homebirth to folks who might otherwise never do it-young mothers,old mother disabled mothers any mother with issues that make her feel like she cant do it does not deserve to try it,has been told she cannot do it.they can do it! more often than not our limitations are only mental.and of course if its just not safe a good homebirth midwife would never deliver at home.

By: Becky

Becky — Sun, 04 Jul 2010 17:16:58 +0000

I just found this site via feministing, and it is great! I’m a college student working on figuring out what path to pursue after graduation. I’ve felt myself torn between pursuing a more “traditional” kind of activism and training to be a doula/midwife. I hadn’t thought about offering doula services as a kind of activism, but that idea really resonates with me. Thank you for offering your insights to the blogosphere!