02/05/2026
Happy Black History and Black Futures Month!
We are deeply grateful for the Black midwives and birthworkers who have long advocated for midwifery-led perinatal care, supported families through profound moments of transition, and worked tirelessly to provide culturally relevant, community-rooted care.
Birth looks different for everyone—but Black birthers continue to face significantly higher risks of adverse outcomes than other groups. This reality underscores how much work remains to advocate for equity in maternity care and to amplify Black voices within healthcare systems. While allyship is essential, Black communities have historically borne the weight of this labour themselves—through leadership, research, and care.
That legacy includes Black midwives and researchers such as Dr. Karline Wilson, whose work examines the hidden histories of racialized immigrant midwives in Canada, helping us better understand their impact and contributions to midwifery today. You can explore her work, along with resources from the Association of Ontario Midwives (AOM), at the link in our bio.
This month, OBWC honours the histories of Black midwives and birthworkers in Canada—and celebrates the futures they continue to build for themselves, their communities, and generations to come.
