This is a series highlighting folks who identify as Radical Doulas. Are you interested in being part of the series? Go here to provide your responses to the profile questions and I’ll include you!
About Juniper Wilson: Lilac Dreams is serving Washtenaw County, Michigan. I am on Anishinabewaki , Bodéwadmiakiwen (Potawatomi), Meškwahki·aša·hina (Fox), and Peoria land. Doula juju is open and down to traveling! My doula practice is holistic, community care based. I am here to assure that my communities have care that is affordable, access-centered, and honest. I aim to serve the following communities: Black, Indigenous, ND, Disabled, LGBTQ+
What inspired you to become a doula?
Being Black, being trans-femme, being queer. Intersectionality really pop, locked, and dropped it on my ass. Honestly. I realize that in this life, in this climate, in this world, my body is not naturally valued and seen as beautiful. Although I do, this world does not. I feel called to doula work because I understand the complexity of identity is not protected in health care. Too many of my community members are unseen and unheard in the health world. Too many of my siblings are unsupported and uneducated about their reproductive choices and rights. I hope to serve as an ally, advocate, and peer offering support and love to all of my clients.
My journey began with an OBGYN internship. I quickly learned that although the work was exciting, it wasn’t what I was looking for. I wanted to take care of folks, provide a shoulder, prepare meals, and educate folks about their reproductive rights and choices. I led a few organizations where I stood as a peer educator for sexual assault awareness and reproductive rights specifically within Black and Queer-Trans communities.
I was inspired to become a BADT full spectrum doula because my entire life, it has been my calling. I’ve always felt pulled to taking care of community and pregnant folks. I became a doula through BADT because I wanted to learn to be inclusive with my care and serve all pregnant/birthing folks.
Why do you identify with the term radical doula?
Lilac Dreams offers holistic, full-spectrum doula care to all birthing people during all birthing outcomes.
Full-spectrum care includes menstruation, infertility, loss and abortion, birth and labor, postpartum and adoption. Through the use of herbs, mindfulness, and intuition, juju will holistically attend to all of your needs.
What is your doula philosophy and how does it fit into your broader political beliefs?
Although this is not a healing space, there may be healing that takes place here. Our practice comes from a place of love, learning, and accountability. Black folks, particularly Black uterus owners, are vastly unprotected in this world. With that being said, this work comes with decolonizing our every day practices, holding ourselves and community accountable for anti-black, transphobia, ableism, and capitalist thinking and colonizer behavior.
Doula Care with Lilac Dreams is:
anti-racism + anti-capitalism work
honoring + venerating ancestors
bodily autonomy + informed consent
access-centered + trauma informed care
accountability and boundaries
community care
harm reduction
reproductive justice
Black, LGBTQIA2S+ affirming
this is a pro-hoe, pro-fat space.
What is your favorite thing about being a doula?
I enjoy creating connections with folks and being a safe space for them to come vent, seek resources, and just exist in their natural form.
If you could change one thing about the experience of pregnancy and birth, what would it be?
Black birthing folks getting the support, education, and deliveries they deserve!
Radical Doula 