According to the Association of Ontario Midwives and Ryerson’s Midwifery Education Program: of the nearly 1000 midwives that are currently registered  in Ontario less than 30 self-identify as Black.The lack of diversity in the field of midwifery is a concern for midwifery care across Canada. In this final episode of the Black Births Matter series, Trish chats with Black midwives Althea Jones and Vincia Herbert about what it means to be a Black midwife. Althea Jones is a registered midwife in Toronto and founder of Womb and Wellness, an organization aimed at addressing the gaps in maternity care. She is also the founder of Ancestral Hands, an initiative to create a midwife-led maternity program that is focused on the Black community. Vincia Herbert is also a registered midwife in Toronto, and is involved in many initiatives that promote community building, anti-discrimination, equity and inclusion.
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Trish chats with Tumaini Lyaruu, Cheyenne Scarlett and Cassandra Thompson about their work as activists in education, advocacy and activism for Black communities. Cassandra is a birth centre aid at the Toronto Birth Centre, as well as a doula. She is also a founding member of the Ocama Collective, a community-directed group of birth workers of colour living and working in Toronto. Tumaini is a midwifery student at Ryerson University and has worked alongside her peers to create the Learn More Ontario Midwifery initiative, a project that presents public information about midwifery care in Ontario. Cheyenne is a childbirth educator and has conducted research in the Greater Toronto Area about Black women’s experiences throughout their pregnancy. Through her research, Cheyenne has recognized the strong need for childbirth education for parents and anti-racism training for providers. She is also a co-founder of The Baby Planner, a consulting and education based business that is guided by person-centred and trauma-informed care.

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In this episode, Trish looks at Canadian Midwives of Colour, a project led by Dr Karline Wilson, Dr Karen Flynn and Dr Cyrus Sundar Singh. The revelation of these stories highlights a part of Canadian history is not known. We discuss the representations of midwives of colour, the importance of their existence in the historical context, and how this knowledge empowers racialized midwives and midwifery students. The process of mining for facts and truth, unveils amazing stories of resilience and advocacy in Canada's earliest racialized immigrant and refugee communities. The project is consequently an act of social justice or healing for the racialized midwifery community.

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This is a continuation of the birth stories from episode one. We will complete our segment by hearing from Shanel Smith, a young mom and content creator, and Kawsar Yassin, a solo parent and midwifery student.

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The Birth Talks Podcast launches a new series Black Births Matter with host Trish Langley Frempong. In this episode, we hear directly from five Black parents who navigated their pregnancies and care in the hospital, in the birth center and at home. We hear from Black women and gender diverse folk including Simone Carpio, an inclusive and accessibility activist, Ingrid Palmer, an intersectional storyteller and Patice Romeo, executive director of Birth Mark. These stories will deepen your understanding in the world of pregnancy, birth and parenting for diverse Black communities.

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“Try not to resist the changes that come your way. Instead let life live through you. And do not worry that your life is turning upside down. How do you know that the side you are used to is better than the one to come?” - RumiIt is with a full and grateful heart that Mai thanks all those who listened to the podcast, all those who shared their stories, and all those who supported her in this creative project. In the final episode hosted by Mai she introduces the new host, Trish Frempong, gets insight from two podcast listeners, and talks gender equality with her co-host Leyla Shahid. They share their hopes for where they want gender equality to go in Canada and leave off with a sweet note of anticipation for new stories in the future.

Image Title: Hope

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In this episode co-host Leyla and Mai stir in their favourite flavour of gender equality: intersectionality. They hear from gender equality advocate Amy Grant and Indigenous midwife and assistant professor Karen Lawford.

We continue to ask gender activists and advocates in Canada "Where does Canada need to go in 2020?" Mai meets up with 83 year old Rosemary Ganley at Women Deliver 2019 for a late night rum and coke to talk feminism. Rosemary is a Canadian educator, journalist, activist and lifelong feminist. She shares her intergenerational wisdom on the future of gender equality in Canada. We also check in with Greg LaForce, ex-military turned advocate against gender-based violence. He sheds light on what role men can play in advancing gender equality.

It has been a long time coming but Mai finally gets to interview Joyce Arthur, Executive Director of the Abortion Rights Coalition of Canada (ARCC). In this eye opening episode, Joyce reminds us why gender equality still matters especially in the context of COVID 19. She shares her lifelong dedication to advocating for abortion rights in Canada, and where does Canada still need to go in 2020 when it comes reproductive justice.

Wow, what crazy times we live in. So much has (rapidly!) changed since the recording of this series. The COVID 19 pandemic has taken full control of our lives in Canada. I spend most of my days at home, balancing the impossible task of full time child care with full time work all in one space. While I feel incredibly lucky I also feel like I am flying by the seat of my pants, everyday. It has also made me think a lot about intersectionality and the privileges and injustices that are affecting so many people in so many different ways in the world.Despite the onslaught of the coronavirus taking over our daily interactions, I still hold an incredible belief that gender equality is as important as ever. What I thought would be a final episode ended up as another series. I have released the first two episodes, co-hosted with the lovely Leyla Shahid. We tackle the ambitious question of "Where does Canada need to go in 2020 when it comes to gender equality?". My co-host Leyla Shahid and I talk with some incredible gender equality advocates such as Rosemary Ganley, Dr. Karen Lawford and Joyce Arthur. And there are a few things that have become more clear to me amidst the chaos:1. Gender equality is more important than ever. We can see this as the COVID 19 crisis unfolds. While the impacts are felt by everyone, it is still vulnerable populations who remain most at risk. 2. When it comes to action governments can and will make change. Large change can happen on a grand scale. There is no excuse when it comes to universal health care, universal child care, and equal access to rights and opportunities. Everyone, regardless of gender, sex, class, race, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, abilities, culture, age or socioeconomic status deserves human rights. 3. As ordinary people we can and need to do better. Let us make sure our governments remain accountable to what the people really need.Enjoy the first two episodes of Series 6: Feminist Birth Talks! The New Decade. Until then - live life, love true and keep it real.
Oh - and take good care of each other and our planet. We could all use more love than fear right now.Mai