"Midwives historically have been known as the wise women of the community. People came to midwives for birth, healing, counsel and death. We believe every woman is a midwife."--Alice Skenandore, Traditional Midwife.  Wise Women Gathering Place 

When Dr. Janet Hagen asked me to speak at the John C. Burke Correctional Center in Waupun, WI I accepted the invitation with excitement. I didn't exactly know what I would speak about, however I had a strong drive to go and meet with the women. After a few weeks of thinking about it, we decided I would speak on the topic of "Wise Women Traditions", and the things we are doing at Wise Women Gathering Place...continued

Having a rough set of teenage years and heading down the dangerous road myself, I felt drawn to speak to the women on rising up out of that way of life with the help of other women.

I facilitated two one-hour sessions that were dynamic and moving. These women were incredible. I heard heartbreaking and triumphant stories. One of my intuitive thoughts about women criminals has always been that women generally do not engage in senseless, brutal crimes, but rather in activities that are intended for family survival such as prostitution and check-writing. This was confirmed by the women I met.

The two meetings ran much like a smoothly flowing Home Birth Meeting. We put the chairs in a circle and held an open discussion. Our theme was the motto of Wise Women Gathering Place, "Every woman is a midwife"...Continued

We discussed ways that women nurture and uphold one another through the trials and tribulations of life. We discussed being advocates and witnesses for each other and how important it is to not be alone when facing elements of "the system", whichever system that might be, school, prison, government, medicine, social services....I told some of my story of being falsely accused of a crime and having to prove my innocence, and about the commitment I made to helping women in response to that event. I told of the struggles to have safe home births and the false information and unsupportive attitudes encountered when we attempt to get medical assistance. I shared what a triumph it was to finally find a midwife and how she believed in me, stood by me, encouraged me and directed me to the facts so I could go forth with my dream of home birth in confidence.

Inmates drew interesting parallels about the so-called, world’s oldest professions...midwifery and prostitution, both of which are punishable by law, both of which cater to the intimate needs of human beings. One woman, my age, had been incarcerated for prostitution and she talked about how a large number of the men she worked for had been seeking counsel, companionship, and an ear to listen more than they wanted sexual favors. We discussed the blackballing of Wrightstown, home-birth doctor, Pierre Slightam, as well as the political and financial power game that medicine plays in its attempt to own the natural event of birth...Continued

Finally, we discussed the midwifery situation in Illinois where midwives are being arrested, their homes rampaged, yards dug up and family life invaded as well as the recent incarceration of Van Couver, midwife, Gloria LeMay on the basis of practicing medicine without a license.

We had a deep philosophical discussion about irony within the bureaucratic systems that oversee such things as the courts, parole, medical licensing.

We pondered the question, “What exactly does medicine own about the act of holding a friend's hand or talking her through the pain or even touching her vagina as the baby's head emerges?” We discussed the sexuality of birth and the need for privacy, emotional safety and really knowing your helpers in order for birth to flow freely and intensely.

I left them with the strong message of gathering together, wherever they are, forming circles of support, helping each other without vindictiveness or competitiveness. Being there for each other and claiming their own midwifery in all areas of life.