Words & Wombs Create Worlds: The Black Maternal Health Crisis | Shawnee Benton Gibson | TEDxBoston

Shawnee talks about the death of her eldest daughter due to maternal mortality, her journey through trauma and grief, as well as, her unshakeable commitment to reproductive justice, advocacy and activism. Her talk addresses the power and impact of words and the role that they can play in transforming reproductive outcomes for Black Indigenous People of Color (BIPOC) in the United States and abroad. Shawnee offers a raw, inspiring and "in your face" message about the responsibility that everyone has to STEP UP and SPEAK UP to ensure that systemic racism and oppression do not destroy black lives. Shawnee is a master teacher, trainer, healer, vision coach, performance artist, inspirational speaker, officiant, mother and friend. Shawnee Benton Gibson, LMSW / FDLC, is the Co-Founder and CEO of Spirit of A Woman (S.O.W.) Leadership Development Institute, an organization designed to educate, elevate and effect positive and sustainable transformation in the lives of individuals, groups, families and communities. Ms. Benton Gibson is a graduate of New York University’s Silver School of Social Work and is a licensed practitioner with over 28 years of experience in the areas of substance abuse prevention, treatment and recovery, adolescent development, individual, family and group counseling, women’s health, birth equity, social justice, grief, loss, bereavement and trauma. Her tools include spiritual counseling, coaching, writing, sacred rituals, psychodrama, sociometry, energy work, the performing arts and storytelling as mediums to ignite transformation and initiate catharsis. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at www.ted.com/tedx

[@witchnursesteph]

This needs so many more views. This should be required viewing in every DEI training for healthcare providers. This is a WHOLE sermon. Thank you for this work. THANK YOU.

[@ericaglover2723]

Your words are powerful!

[@user-ou2nn8be3g]

Knowledge is not enough. Knowing better does not allow you to do better. Doing better is doing better. Powerful.

[@mimigenes368]

This is amazing !!! Well said my sis ! Birth Justice doula speaking pursing my master’s of public health with a concentration in Maternal and child health. The change has to start with us and make sure we are speaking from our experiences and the statistics!

[@kyieshacoachman1601]

I love your words Shawnee! I can listen to you all day 😊❤️

[@withlovebirthsllc9357]

I am with you !!!!!!

[@radiatelifewithlorileibrogan]

Thank you needed this today!

[@toniseawright8777]

Great job Shawnee!!! Love you, Sis!!❤❤❤❤❤❤🙏🏽🙏🏽🙏🏽🙏🏽🙏🏽🙏🏽🙏🏽🌸🌸🌸🌸🌸💕💕💕💕😘😘😘😘

[@dionwilliams6809]

very powerful message!!

[@MadisonGardner-ys2qr]

Amazing speaker!

[@kelleyrobinson5560]

This was fantastic!

[@vlw3421]

Rite Right Write...funny that statistics are lower? Not funny because not many of us are there anyway. You already know.