Phenomenal Females-Grand Midwife Margaret Charles Smith
The practice of midwifery has been a sacred and rewarding field around the world for centuries. Much of its history in the United States has been systematically tarnished or erased due to racial, political, gender, and socioeconomic oppression. The practice has dominated the child-birthing experience throughout Europe, Asia, and Africa and is still widely used and in high demand. In Europe in particular Obstetricians are vastly outnumbered by midwives. In most developed countries midwifery is still an esteemed profession. In the United States, however, midwifery has been cast aside as a profession since the 1940s when white male practitioners methodically ostracized women from this field and devalued childbirth as a ceremonious female rite of passage. Prior to this intervention of systemic sexism, midwives were critical to the health and well-being of pregnant women and newborns. During Colonial times women from all backgrounds in America were practicing midwives, including enslaved Black women. These enslaved women continued the tradition and skills of midwifery learned in their native lands prior to being transported across continental lines. In this way, their knowledge was passed down since the 17th century despite the traumas of slavery. The practice was learned through apprenticeship and these women were staples of care in their communities. One of these remarkable midwives, Grand Midwife Margaret Charles Smith, is our Phenomenal Female feature.
Margaret Charles Smith was born in 1906 in Eutaw, Alabama to Bueha Sanders. Her mother passed on three weeks postpartum, leaving Margaret to be raised by her surname-inspired grandmother Margaret Charles in the post-Civil War era. She was indoctrinated with her first midwifery experience at the ripe young age of five. When a future family member went into labor, Margaret’s were the only hands available to “catch” the baby as it was born. This experience inspired Margaret to continue learning the art of midwifery although she was disinclined to continue her formal education passed the third grade. She never gave up learning entirely and continued to read and study. In 1949, She achieved the task of obtaining a permit from the Greene County Public Health Team in order to officially practice midwifery despite immense amounts of racism. She became a pioneer in the field in Alabama.
Not only did Margaret show extravagant talent in the art of delivering babies; but she did so gracefully and in the trenchful throws of Jim Crow, sharecropping, and poverty. She remained true to her calling despite the gruesome adversity she endured. Raised by a freed slave on a farm in the post-antebellum South, to thrive in a career that refused to physically tolerate her but could not deny her irrefutable gift, Margaret’s achievements are a national milestone for midwifery, and she should be recognized as an idol to the nation.
Throughout her distinguished career, Margaret stayed truly committed to the desire to help pregnant women and their families. She would often travel great distances, on foot, through rugged terrain to deliver multiple babies every day. Often times these women weren’t able to pay monetarily but offered up produce and other trade items in gratitude for her services. Despite the meager pay, Margaret’s heart motivated her to continue her work. In her official years as a documented midwife, she was responsible for approximately 3,500 births. Her maternal mortality rate was 0% and she lost very few babies. She was skilled in delivering premature babies, multiples, and breech babies safely. In 1976, Alabama outlawed the profession, criminalizing any woman found practicing midwifery. Regardless of this fact, Margaret was granted amnesty until 1981 due to her impeccable track record and vast amount of expertise, especially with high-risk pregnancies. Despite this occupational hurdle, Margaret proceeded to gain recognition and honor for her incredible deeds up through her dying day.
She shared her knowledge and experience with the world by co-authoring Listen to Me Good: The Life Story of an Alabama Midwife in 1996. She was the esteemed keynote speaker at the New Orleans Rural Health Initiative in 1997. She was honored prestigiously in 2003, in Washington D.C. by the Congregational Black Caucus. She was bestowed the lifetime achievement award at the Black Midwife and Healer’s Conference in 2004. Following her passing in November of 2004, she was inducted into the Alabama Women’s Hall of Fame in 2005. Additionally, the 2008 film Miss Margaret eloquently documents her oral history. Her commitment to midwifery and the families she served were beyond reproach and are vital resources for individuals dedicated to the ceremonious act of bringing life into the world. Margaret Charles Smith’s contributions to midwifery and history are a testament to what it means to be in the service industry.
The United States is plagued with legislative policies that are detrimental to the health of the nation. America is the only developed country with a rising maternal mortality rate that is exponentially increasing. Most of these mortalities occur postpartum and are absolutely preventable. Additionally, these deaths are categorically noted to appear along racial and socioeconomic lines. African American women are three times more likely to die in childbirth than White women. These statistics stem from a long history of racism and sexism in this country. The Frontier Nursing Service denying education to midwives of color has had long-lasting historical effects that are a foundational cause for these disparities. Caucasian men invoking fear in women of color about the dangers associated with childbirth have coerced minorities that the hospital is the best option for their care. Healthcare and childcare options are minimal to nonexistent for women struggling with poverty. Today, less than 5% of midwives in the United States are people of color. Midwives, and the antenatal care they provide, are crucial to preventing the complications and illnesses that lead to maternal and child mortality. Midwifery goes beyond assisting in the child birthing process. Care extends to prenatal services, neonates, and families, as well as family planning and reproductive health services. It is high time that our country takes a look at the documented success of midwives, especially such exceptionally phenomenal figures as Grand Midwife Margaret Charles Smith.
For further reading on the legislative initiatives blossoming to combat these extensive maternal disparities visit: https://blackmaternalhealthcaucus-underwood.house.gov/Momnibus
Coming next in our Phenomenal Females segment we will be featuring:
Kristi Clements-Founder of Helping Hands Doula
