Submitted by: Debra
I awoke yesterday to an email from Ina May Gaskin sharing that she will be inducted into the Women’s Hall of Fame! I yelled, I danced, I cried tears of joy both for Ina May and this well deserved honor for her dedication, wisdom and love she has shared with so many of us around the world. Later in the day Ibu Robin Lim said “Ina May is lifting up all midwives and birth keepers around the world.” From one hero to another!
It has been an amazing 18 months as Ina May Gaskin has received the Right Livelihood Award in 2011. Often considered the “alternative Nobel Prize”. They wrote; “Ina May Gaskin is a role model for midwives who still dare to think in different paths, trying to implement more humane obstetrics in their countries, and providing women with the chance to choose the way of giving birth that seems right for them.” Watch her gracious and powerful acceptance speech. What a powerful call to action including:
“care given during the time surrounding birth should give the needs of the mother-baby pair precedence over the needs of caregivers, institutions, and the medical and insurance industries. Individual hospitals should consider implementing the 10 Steps to Optimal MotherBaby* Maternity Services (www.imbci.org)…if all countries put the welfare of mothers and babies at the center of maternity care policy, midwifery would have to grow strong again.”
Please join me in honoring Ina May, posting this to your friends and sharing your favorite Ina May Gaskin quote right here.
“let your monkey do it!” thank you, ina may, for your leadership and love.
The way she explains Sphincter Law is marvelous. I admire her easy way of explaining important matters and her sense of humor.
“The way a culture treats women in birth is a good indicator of how well women and their contributions to society are valued and honored.”
“Remember this, for it is as true as true gets: Your body is not a lemon. You are not a machine. The Creator is not a careless mechanic. Human female bodies have the same potential to give birth well as aardvarks, lions, rhinoceri, elephants, moose and water buffalo. Even if it has not been your habit throughout your life so far, I recommend that you learn to think positively about your body.”
“The way a culture treats women in birth is a good indicator of how well women and their contributions to society are valued and honored.”
My son and his wife delivered my grandson with a Midwife and Dual. They joined the push to educate others. I admire the long fight to make people awareness of choices and facts.
It’s no exageration to say I’ve read “Spiritual Midwifery” at least 100 times over the course of my pregnancies. I’m so thankful she will be receiving this honor she so richly deserves.
Ina May and I go back over 40 yrs. together and I have always admired her soft way of rebelling!!
Ina May changed the way I looked at childbirth and gave me confidence to do it MY way, not how a hospital told me To. She made me less scared about the unknown. She deserves every award possible. I truly adore her books.
Let Your Monkey Do It!!!
Many a client have used this quote to let loose and birth their babies 🙂