Nurses For Justice

In this powerful episode, Davon Crawford sits down with birthworker, future midwife, and community healer Jadea for an intimate conversation about the ways our stories shape us, and ultimately save us. Together, they explore how trauma, both personal and collective, impacts the work of Black doulas and the communities they serve.Jadea shares her journey into birthwork, the challenges she has faced navigating traditional healthcare systems, and the moments that affirmed her calling. The conversation dives into healing, advocacy, mental health, and the resilience that sustains Black doulas doing trauma-adjacent work.Listeners will hear reflections on what a truly liberatory birthing space looks like, the importance of community-based care, and how the pathway toward midwifery deepens this commitment to justice.This episode offers grounding, wisdom, and an unwavering reminder: our stories carry power, and when shared with intention, they become medicine for ourselves and our communities.Jadea Edmonds is a birthworker, future midwife, lactation educator, and self-taught Indigenous herbalist whose path is deeply rooted in intuition, ancestral wisdom, and the healing traditions of her lineage. Her journey into birthwork blossomed with the home birth of her son in July 2022—an experience that awakened a profound calling to support women in reclaiming their emotional, spiritual, and embodied birthright. Raised as the oldest of four and guided by a lifelong instinct to nurture, Jadea carries a steady, grounding presence into every birth space she enters. She weaves together her personal birthing experience, her training as a doula, and her connection to plant medicine to create a sanctuary of support for families navigating pregnancy, birth, and postpartum. Her care honors the body’s natural rhythms, the spirit’s wisdom, and the sacred storytelling that lives within each parent she serves. Jadea believes birth is more than a moment—it is a rite of passage that reconnects us to our mind, body, and soul. Her work centers liberation, community care, and the resilience of Black birth workers who hold space for trauma, transformation, and generational healing. Through her commitment to midwifery and holistic birthwork, Jadea reminds mothers of the power they already carry: the power to birth, to heal, and to rise. Guided by the Earth, spirit, and the stories that shape us, Jadea walks her path with intention—believing deeply that when our stories are shared, they become medicine for ourselves and our communities.Davon Crawford is a student nurse at Emory University’s Nell Hodgson Woodruff School of Nursing and a student midwife with the National College of Midwifery. She is the founder and Executive Director of Partnerships for Doula Doula, a community-based collective that has trained and mentored over 70 doulas in Northern California. In her role, Davon builds collaborations with hospitals, public health departments, and community organizations to expand access to culturally affirming doula care for people of color. She also advocates for Medi-Cal reimbursement for doulas and midwifery decriminalization in Georgia, with a vision to transform healthcare through equity-driven leadership.

In this episode we delve into weight stigma and size bias in health systems. We dispel some myths that equate a person’s body size with their health, and explore how nurses can mitigate the harms of these assumptions through research and practice. We are joined by two nurse-midwives who research, write, and practice at this intersection: Dr. Ellen Solis and Elizabeth Muñoz.Dr. Ellen Solis, DNP, CNM, FACNM (she/her) is a Teaching Professor at the University of Washington and the specialty director of the nurse-midwifery program and the Graduate Certificate in Sexual and Reproductive Health (GCSRH) and is the co-director of the UW-ACTIONS (Abortion Care Training Incubator for Outstanding Nurse Scholars) program. She is also a practicing nurse-midwife in Seattle and the board secretary of Nurses for Sexual and Reproductive Health. As a midwife, and educator, Ellen is committed to centering the voices of her clients, students, and colleagues—especially those from BIPOC and queer communities—and working towards increasing their voices in healthcare, education, and policy development. Elizabeth Muñoz, DNP, CNM, FACNM (she/her) is a Certified Nurse-Midwife with experience in midwifery education, scholarship, and clinical practice. She is a Fellow of the American College of Nurse-Midwives and received her Master’s and Doctoral degrees from Vanderbilt University School of Nursing in Nashville, TN. Her scholarship activities include integrating nurse-midwifery models of care in rural Alabama through the AL MOMS HRSA Grant at UAB School of Nursing, preventing size-bias in those providing pregnancy care, and innovation in nurse-midwifery clinical education. Dr. Muñoz is also passionate about improving access to full-scope midwifery care and expanding public knowledge about midwifery, including deepening the understanding that midwives can lead the charge for practice change in various settings.Resources (to link in episode description) Health at Every Size® (HAES®) Principles – ASDAHPlus Size BirthPlus Mommy PodcastEvidence Based Birth® PodcastThe Fat Studies Reader Edited by Esther Rothblum and Sondra Solovay; Foreword by Marilyn WannFearing the Black Body by Sabrina Strings

Asia Brown, a nursing student at Emory, co-founded a nonprofit called  601 for Period Equity, to promote menstrual equity and mitigate period shame in the Black community. Asia leads the nonprofit’s community pantry, Rosie's Pantry, which distributes essential hygiene products, diapers, and menstrual supplies to families in Vicksburg, Mississippi.Asia’s work in period equity and reproductive justice has garnered national attention, with features in The New York Times and NBC News. Asia has also served as a speaker and panelist for organizations such as CVS Health and Girls, Inc., where she continues to advocate for the intersection of healthcare access and social justice. Asia recently completed the Karen Edlund Future Nurse Leader Fellowship - a fellowship that Nurses for Sexual & Reproductive Health runs annually, for nursing students of color who are leaders in sexual and reproductive health. In today’s episode we talk about period poverty, menstrual equity, and the importance of expansive advocacy efforts that include and uplift Southern, Black, rural communities.Be sure to check out Asia’s nonprofit 601 for Period Equity and to follow them on Facebook and Instagram. 

Omisade Burney-Scott (she/her) is a Black southern 7th generation native North Carolinian feminist, social justice advocate and creative with decades of experience in nonprofit leadership, philanthropy, and social justice. She is the Creator of the Black Girl’s Guide to Surviving Menopause, a multimedia culture and narrative shift reproductive justice project. In today’s episode we dive into the menopausal multiverse. We talk about how to start conversations about aging and menopause in both clinical and personal spaces, and how to ensure these conversations center justice, inclusivity, and people’s lived experiences.Be sure to check out the Black Girl’s Guide to Surviving Menopause podcast, socials, and zines: Messages from the Menopausal Multiverse and The Motherboard.

In this digital abortion suppression conversation, NSRH spoke to Martha Dimitratou, who works with several media advocacy groups like Women on Web, Plan C Pills, and Repro Uncensored.  The politicization of abortion at the hands of those in power has created numerous barriers to our ability to seek our reliable and accurate information. Repro Uncensored is a coalition of reproductive health and internet freedom organizations dedicated to combating digital censorship and suppression. Their mission is to ensure that everyone can access information about sexual and reproductive healthcare whenever they need it. RU works closely with advocacy organizations, researchers, creatives, reproductive healthcare providers, and digital rights advocates to promote the free flow of medically accurate abortion information, free from restrictions and the fear of censorship by Big Tech platforms. In this episode, Martha Dimitratou walks us through the formation of this coalition and dives into the some of the ongoing projects that fight against the suppression of abortion related information and tools! Martha also approached her work through an international lens, recognizing that the struggle against Big Tech doesn’t exist in a vacuum. She draws inspiration from our ability to work collectively across the globe.

A'magine is a sexuality educator, speaker, writer, film-maker, and Gynecological Teaching Associate (GTA). Her award-winning film At Your Cervix, examines patient consent and bodily autonomy in gynecology and medical education, aiming to end unethical practices that harm both patients and medical students.  In this episode, we talk about consent in pelvic care, trauma-informed patient interactions, and steps towards improving ethics in medical education. Content Warning: Today's episode describes medical sexual assault. Please be sure to take care of yourself in consuming this content, and to step away as needed. A’magine has been teaching and speaking about feminism and sexuality for over two decades, including her TEDx talk “Owning Your Sexual Power.” She is author of ⁠Woman on Fire: Nine Elements to Wake up Your Erotic Energy, Personal Power and Sexual Intelligence⁠ and co-author of the best-selling classic ⁠Lesbian Sex Secrets for Men⁠. She is committed to helping people have hard conversations and take the steps that lead to liberation.  Find out more at atyourcervixmovie.com and amaginenation.com. Want to learn more about the history of reproductive (in)justices in nursing? Check out our course on the Online Institute: "RJ in Nursing."

Dr. DeShawn Taylor (MD) is a physician-activist whose work as an abortion provider in Arizona is deeply informed by her Christian faith. In her recent book, Undue Burden, she describes what it means to be a Black, Pro-Abortion, Christian doctor. She explores myths around pregnancy, childbirth, and parenting and interrogates faith amidst extremism and attacks on reproductive justice within U.S. healthcare systems. She envisions an “empowered future” where all people can access comprehensive, culturally-responsive, and antiracist reproductive health care irrespective of their particular “circumstances or zip code.”  Want to read Undue Burden? ⁠Purchase a copy here⁠, and use this discount code from Dr. Taylor: NSRH24 Check out Dr. Taylor's website and instagram to learn more.

In this episode we’re joined by Heather Adams, a resident of NSRH’s Abortion Nursing Corps program. Heather is a family planning and ICU registered nurse with 10+ years of experience traveling in hospitals and clinics. Heather was matched with Trust Women in Wichita, Kansas in 2023 and decided to extend her time there by another 8 weeks!  She speaks to her experience, passion for providing abortion care, and the importance of travel abortion nursing programs in a post Roe political landscape. Tune in to hear a first-hand perspective of Nurses for Sexual and Reproductive Health’s Abortion Nursing Corps program. Check out our website to learn more and inquire about the next application cycle.

In this episode, Kelley Dennings with the Center for Biological Diversity speaks on the intersection of environmental and reproductive justice!  “Toxic chemicals can disrupt fertility and sperm counts and make it harder to avoid unplanned pregnancies due to changes in your menstrual cycle, causing at least the fertility awareness based method to be problematic, but other forms of birth control sometimes too can become unreliable. Environmental harm can cause high risk pregnancies, miscarriages, birth defects, preterm birth, low birth weight and can lead to breast cancer or difficulty breast and chest feeding.” Tune in to learn more about Kelley’s work and check out the Center for Biological Diversity’s film screening series: https://bit.ly/EH-RHfilms2023! You can also check out NSRH’s webinar, “Environmental Justice: Impact on Reproductive Health & Justice,” on our Online Institute!

Today we are joined by award-winning documentary photographer Heather Whitten, who co-founded The Abortion Project which aims to demystify and destigmatize abortion through photography. Heather has been photographing in the birth space for over a decade and comes into abortion doula work after her own experience in 2019.  Her work focuses on the intimacies and nuances of the times in people’s lives surrounding their pregnancy outcomes.  Her work shines light on the realities and beauty of the processes experienced by her participants.  She’s made it her mission to dispel feelings of fear, shame, ugliness, or dirtiness that society has cast onto these seasons of life.   Tune in to learn more about Heather and the aims of this project!  Be sure to check out the Abortion Project’s website, instagram, merch + zines, and free abortion intentions care plan. 

Did you know that We Testify was conceived in Frida Kahlo’s backyard in Mexico City? We sat down with Emma Hernández, the Communications Manager at We Testify, an organization that amplifies diverse abortion narratives and is shifting the way media understands abortion care.  Emma’s passion for abortion storytelling, especially for people of color, stems from her own multiple abortions. She also serves on the steering committee for the Abortion On Our Own Terms campaign!  Tune in to hear more about Emma’s journey and work within the abortion storytelling landscape. 

In this episode, we are joined by historian, author, and scholar, Donna J. Drucker. We spoke with Donna about her most recent book, Fertility Technology. Donna is the assistant director of Scholarship and Research Development at the Columbia University School of Nursing. She holds a master in library science degree and PhD in history from Indiana University. She is the author of numerous articles, book reviews, and blog posts, along with four books: The Classification of Sex: Alfred Kinsey and the Organization of Knowledge (University of Pittsburgh Press, 2014), The Machines of Sex Research: Technology and the Politics of Identity (Springer, 2014), Contraception: A Concise History (MIT Press, 2020), and Fertility Technology (MIT Press, 2023). She is at work on a new manuscript on the global history of abortion from the 1860s through the present titled Unwanted, under contract with Reaktion Books. 

Happy Pride! Regardless of the time of year, reproductive rights and LGBTQ+ rights are inextricable. Laws, policies, healthcare discrimination, and stigma negatively impact LGBTQ+ people's access to safe and comprehensive sexual & reproductive healthcare. Tune in to learn how SRH advocates and nurses can stand in support of LGBTQ+ patients and ensure they receive healthcare that is tailored to their individual needs. In this episode, we’re joined by Mar Marqusee (they/them), who identifies as a non-binary/adopted/indigenous/queer individual and works as an LVN. Mar currently works at Essential Access Health, where their work focuses on establishing comprehensive abortion services for various kinds of health centers. Mar specializes in providing personalized healthcare for the LGBTQIA+ community, with a particular focus on the trans and non-binary community. 

As part of Nurses Week, we sat down with Stephanie Tillman also known as the "feminist midwife." Stephanie is a midwife, writer, advocate, speaker, and PhD student in Health Care Ethics at Saint Louis University where she studies consent in intimate exams. We spoke about consent in clinical settings amidst asymmetrical power dynamics, trauma-informed and queer inclusive care, full-spectrum sexual and reproductive healthcare, and advocating for liberatory and equitable health systems. We also discussed how Stephanie built her platform, what she's working on now, and her future goals. Find her on social media @FeministMidwife Stephanie's Instagram, Twitter, Website, and weekly newsletter subscription link. Resource List: Birth Place Lab Unbound by Tarana Burke Know My Name by Chanel Miller Is Rape a Crime? Michelle Bowdler Tender is the Flesh by Agustina Bazterrica Luster by Raven Leilani The Vegetarian by Han Kang “Severance” by Dan Erickson Ben Stiller on Apple TV+

In this episode, we’re joined by Shanti Moore, SisterSong’s Birth Justice Coordinator, who walks us through her pathway to reproductive justice, as well as her personal connection to this work. Shanti spent the early stages of her career in mental health nursing, then as a licensed massage therapist, and finally as a birth justice activist. Shanti has many heart-warming stories to share about her passion for serving the most marginalized communities growing over the years.  In her role as a Birth Justice Coordinator, she spearheads partnerships, creates community programming, and promotes SisterSong’s Birth Justice Care Fund. Tune in to hear more about Shanti’s work with SisterSong and the wonderful accomplishments of this organization! 

Abortion Provider Appreciation Day is celebrated annually in recognition of the heroic work of resilient and compassionate abortion providers! APAD was established in 1996 and highlights the essential work of abortion providers who provide care in the face of increased restrictions, violence, and stigma. In today’s episode, we recognize the importance of bodily autonomy as well as those who continue to provide comprehensive healthcare. Tune in to hear from 5 different abortion care providers across the country who speak about their day-to-day challenges, their motivation to continue providing full-spectrum care, and what abortion access means to them! Everyone deserves accessible sexual and reproductive healthcare and we’re grateful to those who provide it every day.

Megan (she/her) is working on her Accelerated Second Degree BSN program at Oakland University in Michigan, and has recently established a new NSRH chapter at the school. She has a background in bodywork and sexual assault crisis support. Once she is an RN, she plans to continue her education to become a Certified Nurse Midwife. In this episode, Megan speaks to her experience volunteering as a clinic escort in Michigan, which inspired her to pursue a career in sexual and reproductive health. She is working towards being able to protect patients’ reproductive health, sexual health, and provide gender-affirming care. Megan joined NSRH in the hopes of starting a student chapter at her university to provide training for nursing students.

In this episode, we sat down with Dr. Stephanie Mitchell who founded the first midwifery owned and led birth center in Gainesville, Alabama. The birth sanctuary works to honor the ancient wisdom of people giving birth, as well as modern experiences to create comprehensive care. Dr. Mitchell is a passionate advocate of midwifery and has been practicing since 2016. Dr. Mitchell spoke to the need for a midwifery center outside of the industrial medical complex, especially in the context of healthcare disparities experienced by Black people. With the overturning of Roe v. Wade, it is critical that people of color, who will inevitably be funneled into a system of pregnancy, have holistic healthcare options.

In this episode, we’re joined by NSRH’s Education Director, Anna Brown, who dives into some of the educational opportunities and resources that arose from curriculum gaps in formal nursing education. We also hear about Anna’s own journey to both becoming a dedicated sexual & reproductive health leader and joining the NSRH team! Many of the professional programs discussed in All Things Education are geared toward helping nurses and SRH advocates navigate an increasingly restrictive landscape for comprehensive sexual & reproductive health. Anna speaks to the importance of consistency when identifying issues within the reproductive healthcare sector and making incremental changes to address them. NSRH is committed to providing a safe place for nurses and allies who are looking to disrupt systems of oppression and are eager to collectively learn how. Tune in to lean more about the Training in Abortion Care Residency, NSRH’s Online Institute, the 6-month Member Education Series, which dissect a myriad of topics that impact community well-being and discusses changes to move towards a Reproductive Justice-minded nursing practice, and more!

In this episode we sit down with Leslie Chase, a participant in our pilot cohort for the Karen Edlund (KE) Future Nurse Leader Fellowship. This program fuels nursing students to leverage their power and become leaders in SRH, reproductive rights (RR) and Reproductive Justice (RJ). We believe that through intentional support and development of historically excluded nurses, we can shift the power structure of nursing and transform healthcare to not only include but celebrate sexual and reproductive health.  This fellowship honors the legacy and significant contributions of Karen Edlund (RN, BSN), a public health nurse and lifelong advocate for sexual and reproductive health and justice. Karen served as the Director of the SRH Program at the Massachusetts Department of Public Health for 23 years, and was an active member of the NSRH Board of Directors.  Tune into this episode to learn more about Leslie's career pathway in nursing, and her interests in health equity, harm reduction, and nurse-led advocacy. For Leslie's nurse leadership project, she created and distributed care kits to sex workers in her community in California. Learn more about Leslie and her experience participating in the KE Fellowship.  For those interested in learning more about the Karen Edlund Fellowship visit our website. Be sure to follow us along on social media and through our newsletters for our next round of applications next spring!

In this episode we dig into opportunities for student organizing and campus activism through NSRH. We sat down with Lana Keusch, a student member who started a chapter at Duke University. Last year, Lana was awarded the Karen Edlund Future Leader Award.  NSRH gives this annual award in honor of Karen Edlund (RN, BSN), a public health nurse and lifelong advocate for sexual and reproductive health. Karen served as the Director of the SRH Program at the Massachusetts Department of Public Health for 23 years, from 1992 until her retirement in May 2015. During her tenure she developed and managed several critical initiatives that have been key to ensuring access to comprehensive SRH services for the people of Massachusetts. In addition to her leadership with the MA Department of Health, she also played an important leadership role with several other organizations. Karen served on several boards, including the NSRH Board of Directors! Students like Lana help us to carry on Karen's legacy through their campus activism. Tune in to learn more about what brings Lana to this work, and her perspectives on all things student organizing, nurse leadership, and SRH. If you're interested in starting a chapter at your school, learn more about your first steps today!

In this episode we speak with two of NSRH’s Training in Abortion Care (TAC) Residents about the importance of abortion training opportunities for nurses and paramedics, how the TAC residency expanded their understanding of abortion provision and has impacted their career pathways.  TAC residency is the only clinical training program in the nation for registered nurses to gain hands-on experience in abortion care. The residency develops both the residents' clinical and advocacy skills by connecting them to local SRH/RJ advocates in addition to their clinical experience. In a time when abortion care is becoming increasingly less accessible, and attacks on the legal right to healthcare are seemingly never-ending, NSRH is doubling down on our commitment to creating a world where all people have access to comprehensive sexual and reproductive health (SRH). This program provides nurses with clinical experience and community engagement opportunities to develop both clinical and advocacy skills in SRH. To lead us in that conversation, we are delighted to bring on Liz Carr (she/her), a nurse and student in nurse-midwifery, and Beau Morgan (they/them), a Tennessee-based paramedic and abortion doula.