Bringin' in Da Spirit

Object Details

Creator

Haynes, Rhonda L.

Lou's Production Association

Third World Newsreel (Firm)

Scope and Contents

'Bringin' in Da' Spirit' celebrates the history of the midwives, particularly Granny Midwives, in the United States from the earliest days of slavery until today. The documentary film documents the contributions of 'Aunt Margaret' Charles Smith, Maude Callen, Onnie Lee Logan, Gladys Milton to midwifery and health care. Midwives 'Aunt Margaret' Charles Smith, Gladys Milton, Nonkululeko Tyehemba, Afua Hassan, Sakina O'Uhuru, Nicole Deggins, and a few of their clients provide personal stories sharing their knowledge and experience either as a midwife or working with a midwife. They, along with narrator Phylicia Rashad, explain midwives delivered black and white babies, earned respect in the homes of both blacks and whites, cared for the sick and dying, and wrote birth certificates. They explain how midwives impact the high mortality rate of African American babies, the difference between giving birth and being delivered, and modern day birthing centers versus hospital care. The documentary film presents the importance of and need for midwives, and how midwifery has changed over time, including training programs, certifications, instruments, and supplies. The film also explores the spiritual aspect of midwifery. The film contains footage of archival still and moving images of interviews, birthing centers, and the International Center for Traditional Childbearing's Black Midwives and Healers Conference in Portland in 2002.

Documentary film. Screened as part of the Reclaiming Midwives: Pillars of Community Support exhibition. Undated.

Date

c 2003

Extent

1 Video recording (MiniDV)

Type

Archival materials

Video recordings

Documentary films

Topic

African Americans

Midwifery

Place

Washington (D.C.)

United States

Citation

Bringin' in Da Spirit, Anacostia Community Museum Archives, Smithsonian Institution.

Identifier

ACMA.03-049, Item ACMA AV005244

General

Title transcribed from physical asset.