We are back with our Meet the Collective posts. We have a number of new folks who have joined us at the Cihuapactli Collective and we are so excited to have you get to know them. First up is Gail Williams. She is our new Birth Justice Coordinator! Gail supports our Collective Birth Fund, the Sacred Community Birthworker Training and the Death Comadre Curriculum. She is currently working on developing a virtual self-paced version of the Sacred Community Birthworker Training.
Tell us about yourself:
I am a mama of 4. My oldest son Mateo is 12. I am a twin mom of 3 year old daughters Jameelah and Kameelah, and my youngest daughter Vida is 2. I’ve been a Doula for 17 years and have humbly served my bipoc community in South Phoenix and Maryvale. My passion is teaching and training new doulas and am grateful to be doing what I love as a Doula Facilitator and Birth Justice Coordinator.
What kind of hobbies do you have?
I love to dance, and hope to get back into performing Afro-Colombian & West African Dance. I Love house music and used to invest my free time before kids attending concerts and dance music festivals.
How do you practice self-care and wellness?
Every morning I give gratitude to my ancestors and mother earth. That helps me start my day feeling grounded. I love water, and taking long baths with candles and calm music is my self care.
How has your family lineage impacted the way you navigate the world, or the way you do your work?
In my early 20’s I learned from my mother before we visited her land Cartagena, Colombia about the midwife in her neighborhood that delivered the majority of her siblings and cousins at home. I was so intrigued and wanted to learn more about traditional home birthing. Unfortunately this amazing midwife passed away before our trip , but I got the best opportunity when I learned about a group of midwives in the Pacific region of Colombia and in 2012 I traveled to Buenaventura, Colombia and met the beautiful Afro-Colombian midwives of Asoparupa. An association of Afro-Colombian traditional midwives. This trip changed my life and everytime I get the opportunity to teach and facilitate doula training, I carry their spirit, guidance, and wisdom with me.
How do you show up for your community?
Listening to the needs of my community is important to me and empowering my community to use their voice to speak up and out against any injustice or inequality means a lot to me.
What do you appreciate about the collective?
I appreciate the collective for all the love and support I’ve received in this new role as Birth Justice Coordinator, truly means a lot to me.
What is a strength or positive quality of yours that you bring to the collective?
My experience as a birth worker and being a mentor is my strength. I am very supportive and resourceful when it comes to helping those in need.
What do you look forward to in the work with the collective?
Expanding the doula training and offering virtual and self paced for folks who can’t attend in person training. Making our doula training accessible.
What book are you currently reading? Or what podcast do you often like listening to?
Dare to Lead by Brene Brown
Thank you Gail for sharing about yourself. We’re so happy to have you be a part of the Collective!