Radical Doula

Hi folks!

I have not been blogging as much as I’d like here. It’s the sad result of my recent realization that to stay afloat, I need to focus more on my paid work and less on my unpaid work. I have at least two posts in the works (including one about the film that made me a birth activist and one about my first day as an abortion doula) which I will be getting up soon.

But in the meantime I was inspired by my friend Sinclair Sexsmith to do a post reflecting back on 2010, what I’ve done, and maybe a bit about what I hope to make happen next year.

First off, top posts from 2010:

1. MORE Magazine features young feminists. This post I’m really proud of, which should really be titled “Feminism’s identity crisis.” It was inspired, obviously, by my participation in the MORE Magazine article, but it’s also the topic I’ve been speaking about on college campuses lately. You can listen to the full transcript of my recent talk, on this topic of feminism’s identity crisis, here.

2. Big Victory for Midwives in New York State. Yay for good news! I was so happy to see the organizing that grew up around this issue and that folks were able to turn it into a win, and fast.

3. The Doula Project is recruiting! Yay for full-spectrum doula projects. I recently re-joined the doula project in NYC and am loving being back in the role of doula, and with folks having abortions. More to come on this soon.

4. New Midwifery School Opening in Florida this Winter I’m glad folks are looking for this! We need more midwives. This is the school, by the way.

5. Certified Doulas can now apply for insurance reimbursement I haven’t heard too much more about this. If you know more, leave a comment or send me an email. Folks are obviously interested!

In addition to blogging at Radical Doula this year (this is my 401th post!) I also kept on chugging with my freelance journalism. Articles I wrote in 2010:

• For Proof the DREAM Act’s a Good Idea, Look at Cuban Americans Colorlines.com, December 8, 2010
• Girl Talk: I’m a Doula The Frisky, October 6, 2010
• On Being a Radical Doula SQUAT: An anarchist birth journal, June 2010
• Advocating for Women: Tying Reproductive Rights to Opportunity. The American Prospect, March 11, 2010
• Worried About Women of Color? Thanks, but No Thanks, Anti-choicers. We’ve Got it Covered. RH Reality Check, February 24, 2010
• Surrogacy: The Next Frontier for Reproductive Justice RH Reality Check, February 23, 2010
• Below the Beltway Bitch Magazine, Spring 2010

I’m particularly proud of the Colorlines article and this RHRC article about women of color and anti-choice debates. Writing about race and communities of color has been a goal of mine this past year. And my piece for Colorlines is the first that can’t be pegged as a “women’s” article.

In addition to blogging (oh yeah, I’m still with the crew at Feministing) and freelancing, I did a bunch of speaking in 2010. I did 18 speaking events across the country in 2010, including Swarthmore College, Smith College, University of Iowa, University of Minnesota, Barnard College, Columbia University, Bard College, George Washington University. I also spoke at the From Abortion Rights to Social Justice Conference, the Philly Trans Health Conference, and most recently the Elizabeth Sackler Center for Feminist Art.

Phew!

Speaking is probably the favorite thing I do, because I get to make my ideas (which mostly live on the interwebs) live, and I get to interact with all the awesome activists out there. I’m currently booking events for the Spring (so far on tap: Oklahoma, Yale University, University of Rochester, Creating Change, SXSW). If you’re interested in bringing me to your campus or community, get in touch! More info about my speaking is available here.

I also did a bunch of media this year, which is always fun and challenging. I was on PBS, GritTV and Radio Bilingue in 2010, as well as being interviewed by Colorlines and Slate.

As part of my complex hustle, I also serve as a communications consultant for non-profit organizations. This year, I continued my work with the National Latina Institute for Reproductive Health, and did new work with CHAMP, Pop and Politics and the Woodhull Freedom Foundation.

Lastly, I got a couple of awards and recognitions this year. The National Women’s Health Network gave me a 2010 Barbara Seaman Award for Activism in Women’s Health. Curve Magazine also named me Best Activist/Newcomer in 2010.

It’s been a tough year for the world, it seems, and politics in general. While it’s been an exciting year personally, in many ways its been a sad year politically. For more on that, check out this post that I put together with the help of Mina (thanks Mina!) about this past year.

2010 has been a great year for the radical/full-spectrum doula movement. There is a new social network for us (check it out!) and there are new programs popping up around the country. I feel blessed to be a part of this thriving community and can’t wait to see what develops next.

Thanks to all of you for your incredible support and happy new year!