Happy International Women’s Day! Throughout the years, I’ve celebrated this day in many different ways from attending a peace rally to indulging at a dessert party. However, this year takes the cake (pardon the pun)! I was honoured with a nomination for the YWCA Women of Distinction 2016 award for my contribution to the birth community as a doula and educator in the category of Mentorship and Education. The YWCA defines the winner of this category as a woman who “guides, teaches, and supports others to grow and to attain the skills and success required to make a difference in the world. She inspires, encourages, and leads by example” (www.ywcastjohns.ca/wod).
photo credit – Kelly Hynes Curties
Woah… that’s not hard to live up to at all! Although grateful that I was even nominated, I never expected to win so I didn’t have to think about living up to such high expectations. I was surrounded by successful, inspiring, creative, intelligent women who ALL contributed to their community. Plus, you know, I was a DOULA. Who even knows what a doula is, right?! So, there I sat, on International Women’s Day, dumbfounded when my name was read aloud as the winner of said award. I walked to the podium in a daze as I half tuned in to my bio being read aloud – wow I sound kind of impressive – and I had no idea what to say. So humbled and tearful for such recognition, I mumbled something about the growing shift in the birth movement, and end with “now let’s legislate midwifery!” (My political plug while I had the opportunity).
So, yeah, I won (yay me!) but here’s what was even more mind-blowing to me – afterward, at the reception, SO many women came up to me to congratulate me, and tell me that they were so glad I won because “my doula made all the difference” or “my <insert female relative> had a doula, and she raved about the support she received!” It was then that it really dawned on me – a doula was honored with this award; a DOULA. I thought back to when I first started down this path 9 years ago, and no one even knew what a doula was… and now, we are being recognized with awards! And yes, I mean “we” – because this award is not just about me and what I’ve done, it’s about the contribution ALL doulas make birthing women and their families. Those women at the reception were not touched by the work I do, they were touched by the work DOULAS do. I was merely a vessel for their gratitude. ALL doulas work hard to make a difference in the world. So, I dedicate this award to all doulas, everywhere. We are ALL Women of Distinction.