The Antiracist Midwife's Oath of Service

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As white midwives, we accept that we wield privilege and power within historically and inherently racist systems and institutions. 

 

We acknowledge the legacy of white supremacy in midwifery care dating back to the abolition of granny midwives in the South. 

 

We recognize that implicit bias, prejudice, and racism impact the quality of care birthing people receive. 

 

We are invested in the redistribution of power and access to midwifery care.

 

We vow to remain devoted to our pursuit of growth as antiracist midwives, within all factors of our caregiving, including rooting our racism in our minds as well as our hearts, through our words, actions, and critical self-reflection and awareness building. 

 

We recognize that white supremacy thrives by encouraging isolation, and we pledge to invest in relationships and community.

 

We vow to increase our accountability– by seeking input and leadership from those most impacted by racism in birthing care.

 

We promise to accept accountability when we have harmed others, and to hold ourselves with compassion, forgiveness, and courage to learn from the experience. 

 

We welcome discomfort along the journey, and accept that we will not always feel resolved.

 

We pledge to speak truth to power, motivated by love, and led by BI&PoC. 

 

The “Antiracist Midwife's Oath of Service” was inspired by the work we are doing here with midwives in the TWP community, and influenced by the Ferguson Oath of Action.