Category Archives: News

It was exhilarating to see the numerous international partners who attended the International Confederation of Midwives (ICM) meetings in Durban, such as the World Health Organization, United Nations agencies, the International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics, the White Ribbon Alliance, ministers of health, significant funders, and more. And the buzz was loud and clear: MidwivesContinue reading “The World Needs Midwives NOW More Than Ever”

The summer flew by in a flash of pulsating movement and spectacular color. I spent the month of June in South Africa at the Council meeting of the International Confederation of Midwives (ICM), and then at the ICM Congress. The meetings were held in Durban. Africa was amazing, in all ways. The thing about AfricaContinue reading “Color and Movement”

What inspired me to write Into These Hands, Wisdom from Midwives? On New Year’s Day of 2007 I woke up with the inspiration for the Into These Hands, Wisdom from Midwives anthology. Someone whispered in my ear that it was time to write this book (No, it was not my husband Fred!) … I made lists ofContinue reading “Inspiration and Dedication”

Since its publication, we have been taking the book on the road with speaking tours, books signings and educational workshops. Everywhere we go, people seem to use some of the same language to describe Into These Hands. Words like “eye-opening, entertaining, inspiring, and provocative” keep coming up. We had a full-house at a workshop entitled, “WhatContinue reading “On the Road”

So two of my kids, Sean and Leah, went to a literary event for their friend Jacob Wheeler in a local bookstore in Chicago where he was sharing his newly published book, Between Light and Shadow, on adoption in Guatemala.  Don’t you think Sean and Leah were surprised when they discovered a display that includedContinue reading “You Never Know What Could Happen”

On International Midwives Day, May 5, the Michigan Midwives Association (MMA) hosted a variety of activities. Two of my favorites—out of several wonderful events—are these. Road to Durban Last year, the President of the International Confederation of Midwives (ICM), Bridget Lynch, invited midwives of the world to “Walk the Road to Durban” in preparation forContinue reading “Speaking Out for Mothers and Children”

Friday the 13th is a lucky day for me this year. Due to the generosity of Peter Makin at Brilliant Books, we will be having a book launching party in my home territory—Leelanau County—that will feature a meet and greet session, some conversation about the book, wine, light hors d’oeuvres and books for sale! My publisherContinue reading “Come to the Party!”

For those of you who have written a book, you know that it takes a lot of mental and emotional exertion. Sometimes, it can be even more tiring than physical labor—at least that is how I have found it to be. You can get “stuck” in your head, with all kinds of thoughts swirling around,Continue reading “Salsa for the Soul”

While I was at the ICAN (International Cesarean Awareness Network) Conference in St. Louis last weekend I had the opportunity to talk to several women who are hoping to become midwives. One is Sherry Payne, whom I have known for a long time, and another is Valerie Schuster, whom I just met. Sherry is anContinue reading “Into These Hands is an Inspiration for Future Midwives”

After unveiling my book at the board meeting of the Midwives Alliance I had the privilege of presenting it formally, for the first time “in public,” to the attendees of the ICAN (International Cesarean Awareness Network) conference, held in St. Louis, Missouri, April 8-10.  I was invited to present the book material in a workshopContinue reading “Not the Choir, But Still Fans”