Village Birth International

This year we put our deepest values into practice. We cultivated collective forces that are realizing the power and healing presence of solutions grounded liberatory models of care. In 2020, VBI’s work aligned with our vision as well as expanded it. This is how we put our work into practice:... Free community-based doula care Virtual Doula Services Virtual community-based doula trainings Sankofa Reproductive Health and Healing Center- Perinatal Safe Spot @sankofaheals COVID Emergency Relief Fund BIRTH JUSTICE NOW- Published Campaign in NYT JustBirth Space @justbirthspace Equity and Anti Racism Training and Consultancy for Maternal Health Organizations VBI Uganda Collective Healing It’s with gratitude that we come together with organizations that share our vision and mission toward equitable care and reproductive Justice. We look forward to continuing our relationships with EMC @everymomcounts , Black Excellence Fund- @cnycf, NBEC- @birthequity , and the support ofindividual donors . Birth justice is relational. We come together in our shared understanding of interdependence and the capacity to honor and love each other's humanity. Wishing you all a healthy and blessed new year! Love, Asteir & Aimee {Image of an orange sun setting over brown and olive green mountains and a huge pink glow around with words that read: 2020 A Year of Putting Our Deepest Values into Practice.}

Dismantle All systems of reproductive injustice NOW. Including ICE. DEMAND ACTION NOW or history will continue to repeat itself. We must consider the intersections of violence, healthcare, racism, political agendas, capitalism and the immediate need for accountability and true progress for human rights. Posted@withregram @angelicaisaibecerra Dawn Wooten, blew the whistle on the horrible conditions migrants in ICE detention are under, including mass hysterectomies being pe...rformed on vulnerable immigrant women. Wooten is a registered nurse who worked full-time at the Irwin County Detention Center until July, outlined her allegations in a complaint filed on Monday to the Department of Homeland Security’s Office of Inspector General by a coalition of advocacy. Artwork by @angelicaisaibecerra "Everybody he sees has a hysterectomyjust about everybody. He's even taken out the wrong ovary on a young lady [detained immigrant woman]. She was supposed to get her left ovary removed because it had a cyst on the left ovary; he took out the right one. She was upset. She had to go back to take out the left and she wound up with a total hysterectomy," Wooten explains in the complaint. "She still wanted childrenso she has to go back home now and tell her husband that she can't bear kids... she said she was not all the way out under anesthesia and heard him [doctor] tell the nurse that he took the wrong ovary," she continued.-NYTimes

Reaching Forward. Giving Back. Essential items for mamas and babies. Cafe Sankofa. Saturday August 8. 1-5pm. All items free for our community. . . .... Sponsored by Village Birth International Doula 4 A Queen Cafe Sankofa Cooperative& Sankofa Wellness & Resource Center. . Clothing closet for women, babies and children. DIAPERS. Nursing Bras. DIVA cups. Feminine Hygiene Products. Pregnancy and Breastfeeding info and support. Doulas Available!!! See more

We are excited to share that with the help of the CNY Community Foundation's Black Equity and Excellence Award, VBI Syracuse is able to transition to the Sankofa Reproductive Health and Healing Center. This Center is a sisterhood and partnership with SeQuoia Kemp of Doula 4 A Queen , Marcelle Haddix of ZenG Yoga and a collective of birth workers dedicated to serving healing and loving families throughout their reproductive health care. Black Women deserve a space dedicate...d to their wellness and healing journey. We deserve excellence & We deserve equity!! Sankofa Reproductive Health and Healing Center is a Perinatal Safe Spot. This designation was awarded to us In 2015 and we are finally able to establish our physical location. We are so grateful for the guidance and mentorship of our Midwife, Mama Jennie Joseph at Commonsense Childbirth Inc. - National Perinatal Task Force. Mama Jennie, we honor you and love you. And we hope to make you proud by serving families in the tradition of your example and leadership. https://cnycentral.com//syracuse-group-expanding-maternal-

Dismantle All systems of reproductive injustice NOW. Including ICE. DEMAND ACTION NOW or history will continue to repeat itself. We must consider the intersections of violence, healthcare, racism, political agendas, capitalism and the immediate need for accountability and true progress for human rights. Posted@withregram @angelicaisaibecerra Dawn Wooten, blew the whistle on the horrible conditions migrants in ICE detention are under, including mass hysterectomies being pe...rformed on vulnerable immigrant women. Wooten is a registered nurse who worked full-time at the Irwin County Detention Center until July, outlined her allegations in a complaint filed on Monday to the Department of Homeland Security’s Office of Inspector General by a coalition of advocacy. Artwork by @angelicaisaibecerra "Everybody he sees has a hysterectomyjust about everybody. He's even taken out the wrong ovary on a young lady [detained immigrant woman]. She was supposed to get her left ovary removed because it had a cyst on the left ovary; he took out the right one. She was upset. She had to go back to take out the left and she wound up with a total hysterectomy," Wooten explains in the complaint. "She still wanted childrenso she has to go back home now and tell her husband that she can't bear kids... she said she was not all the way out under anesthesia and heard him [doctor] tell the nurse that he took the wrong ovary," she continued.-NYTimes

Tomorrow!!! Essential Items for Essential Times for Essential Wellness. Baby Items. Clothing. Diapers. Fresh Fruits & Veggies. Doula Care. Masks are the only requirement!! Call 315-920-2787 for info.

Reaching Forward. Giving Back. Essential items for mamas and babies. Cafe Sankofa. Saturday August 8. 1-5pm. All items free for our community. . . .... Sponsored by Village Birth International Doula 4 A Queen Cafe Sankofa Cooperative& Sankofa Wellness & Resource Center. . Clothing closet for women, babies and children. DIAPERS. Nursing Bras. DIVA cups. Feminine Hygiene Products. Pregnancy and Breastfeeding info and support. Doulas Available!!! See more

Sign on and share the Birth Justice Matters Demands for accountability, #birthjustice, and legal guarantees for safe, respectful, #antiracist care. Learn more and join the movement! . . Link in bio to sign the open letter and share these graphics on your page. #birthjusticeMATTERS... #birthjusticeNOW See more

TODAY leaders, organizations, and allies in the birth and reproductive justice movements are calling for accountability, #birthjustice, and legal guarantees for safe, respectful, #antiracist care. Learn more and join us! Special shout out to the team at @everymomcounts for all the support and collaboration! . . Link in bio to sign the open letter and share these graphics on your page. #birthjusticeMATTERS... #birthjusticeNOW See more

Black, Brown and Indigenous people deserve Birth Justice. This is the moment in history to end medical racism and the oppressive institutions that keep people from birthing in their full dignity. Liberation through birth is possible! This is a national call for birth justice and accountability. Get Your Saturday @nytimes! . . . We are honored to share this with all the contributors who made this call to action for BIRTH JUSTICE NOW possible. ... . . . Loretta Ross, Lynn Roberts, Chanel Porchia-Albert, Christine Miller, Nan Strauss, Yuki Davis, Christy Turlington-Burns, Angela Aina, Joia Crear Perry, Dawn Goodbolt, Nicolle Gonzales, Pilar Herreo, Jennie Joseph, Jennie Jacoby, Indra Lusero, Monica R. McLemore, and Jamila Taylor. Let’s DO this. Read the full article at link in bio, sign on, and share! The time is now! In so much love, Asteir & Aimee . . #reproductivejustice #birthjusticematters #birth #equity #accountability #antiracism #movement #liberationthroughbirth

Reproductive Justice is an Action. A mighty muscle to be flexed. A full 360 from medical to family-centered reproductive care with community-based midwives & doulas is the change we need in the world. Defund capitalist systems of oppression that are for profit NOT for humans, including medical models of reproductive care that harm not heal. Support this work Believe that community birth matters. ... Birth Work is Ancestral Work. We have always taken care of each other during transitions of life. This is the time Take action for Mamas, Babies and Birthing People facing reproductive injustice. If you are pregnant, considering pregnancy, breastfeeding or seeking support while accessing reproductive care please reach to us at @villagebirthintl @doula4aqueen Or fund reproductive justice by donating to our doula collective so that we can continue to protect and serve families in Syracuse - link in bio. . cred: @mariel_rivera 2020VBI Doula Training. Rice-sock making. #comfortmeasures #doulacare #blackmamasmatter #reproductivejustice #blackdoulas #indigenousdoulas #africandoulasmatter #congo #sudan #somalia #burundi #zambia #northside #southside #sisterskeeper #communitybirthmatters #humansforhumanity #enddisparitiesnow #birthwork #publichealth #syracuse #upstate #communityled #getfree #liberationthroughbirth See more

Happy Juneteenth Family. Today as we center black liberation and ancestral freedom let us also uplift black and indigenous midwifery care. Black Midwives- affectionately referred to as Granny Midwives and Grand Midwives- caught babies, cared for the sick, served as councilors, spiritual guides, & conjurers of hope and healing. During slavery and 1900s, Grand midwives served their own communities AND attended births for whites families. Grand midwives were systematically era...sed, devalued and defunded by the same structural and individual racist practices that exist today. As we celebrate freedom and liberation, we must continue to push forward policies, funding streams and actions that advance Midwifery care in our communities. Did you that in Syracuse and Central New York , birthing families do not have access to Black and indigenous Midwifery care. There is no free standing birth center or affordable access to home birth. This is a reproductive injustice. For those of us who wish to become midwives, barriers to education and licensure along with policies, certification restrictions and costs that systematically keep Black folk from pursuing this degree are all the evidence of the need to defund and restructure how communities are supported, funded and how local and state policies need to make a real commitment to #Blacklivesmatter. Support Black birth workers for reproductive justice by donating to our doula fund so that we can continue protect and serves families in Syracuse - http://www.paypal.me/villagebirthintl. #blacklivesmatter #blackmamasmatter #blm #liberation #beyondbirth #Blacklivesmatterplaza #georgefloyd #breonnataylor #rayshardbrooks #Blackgirlmagic #endpolicebrutality #endsystemicracism #justiceforall #equality #humanity #blackmomsblog #momlife #ourfuture #enoughisenough #blackmothers #motherhood #spreadlove #positivevibration

#defundthepolice and invest in the community. Support Black birth workers for reproductive justice by donating to our doula fund so that we can continue protect and serves families in Syracuse. Donate to our paypal - http://www.paypal.me/villagebirthintl #blacklivesmatter #blackmamasmatter #blm #liberation #beyondbirth #Blacklivesmatterplaza #georgefloyd #breonnataylor #rayshardbrooks #Blackgirlmagic #endpolicebrutality #endsystemicracism #justiceforall #equality #humanity #blackmomsblog #momlife #ourfuture #enoughisenough #blackmothers #motherhood #spreadlove #positivevibration

Support Black birthworkes for reproductive justice by donating to our doula fund so that we can continue protect and serves families in Syracuse - http://PayPal.me/villagebirthintl Posted @withregram @loclivin @ladycourt_ | : @nudimensions | We mean business 2020 and we expect our voices to be heard . . .... I am a black woman, - daughter to black parents, - wife to a black man, - mother of 2 black sons, - sister of 3 black brothers & 2 black sisters, - Auntie of many black nieces & nephews, and - MiiMii of a black grandson. . . This is NOT a phase! This cycle has to & WILL be broken. This world will see us as equal human beings. We deserve more than to merely matter. . . . While visiting DC on Black Lives Matter Plaza I met @ladycourt_ - a strong and beautiful black woman & soon-to-be mother. Seeing the powerful words written on her womb, I had to ask for a picture to capture the spirit & passion of this movement. Sis is making a statement that no one can disagree with. A change is and has to come - this I believe . . . . #Blacklivesmatterplaza #georgefloyd #breonnataylor #rayshardbrooks #Blackgirlmagic #blacklivesmatter #endpolicebrutality #endsystemicracism #justiceforall #equality #humanity #blackmomsblog #momlife #ourfuture #enoughisenough #blackmothers #motherhood #spreadlove #positivevibration #loclivin See more

Our work has always and will continue to center Black folks and their liberation. As reproductive justice activists and birth workers, our work goes beyond birth work to dismantle systems of oppression. In dismantling these systems, we are working towards a future of reproductive justice. A future where every child is brought into a world that is safe for them to grow and thrive. * * Support Black birth workers for reproductive justice by donating to our doula fund so that we can continue protect and serves families in Syracuse: http://cash.me/$doula4aqueen