My History
I'm a Southern girl, born and raised in Birmingham, Alabama. I went to college at Auburn University and The University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB), with a few semesters at Jefferson State Community College tossed in here and there. I have a B.A. in Political Science with a minor in History from UAB. (In case you're wondering, I concentrated in American government and most of my history classes were in American history.) I thought I was on the law school or Ph.D. track until I got this thing called a boyfriend my next-to-last semester of undergrad.
The prospect of settling down and not being so academia-focused was more appealing, but being a professional student, I wasn't quite ready to quit with my bachelor's. I made a good bit of progress in graduate school, studying education until I got sick in 2007. I was (miraculously) able to finish that semester, but between being sick and not liking the program I was in, I decided to no longer pursue that degree. I toyed with the idea of getting my MPA (Master's in Public Administration), or a degree in Human Development and Family Studies, or even a degree in Health Education, but I just felt like I needed "more" than what those degrees would offer me (however, never say never).
During college at UAB, I was involved with the Gay-Straight Student Alliance, where I mostly served as an event planner. I was also involved with SHAPE (Sexual Health Awareness through Peer Education) as a peer educator and, eventually, an HIV tester and counselor. With SHAPE, I almost always felt like I helped make a positive impact on someones life whenever I did volunteer work for the program.
I began reading blogs in 2007 and happened upon a lot of blogs about natural childbirth, where I learned about doulas. In 2010, I was thinking about becoming a doula, but having never had a child myself or witnessed a birth, I wasn't sure if it was something I would really be interested in. That same year, a friend of mine invited me to her birth as one of her support people and I had my first doula experience. Just over a year later, I began my doula certification.
In 2009, I decided I was tired of Birmingham and decided to move back to Auburn, where I started my college journey. Although I am still technically "bi-city" (meaning I live in both Auburn and Birmingham), I am based in Auburn.
My Inspiration to become a Doula
In 2007, I was in graduate school working on a degree in Secondary Social Science Education. In early March, I began experiencing nausea and by early April, I was so nauseous I couldn't go to class or work. I wasn't pregnant, but it was the start of an ongoing medical battle. I was also experiencing fatigue and abdominal pain.
In May 2009, after many tests, it seemed like the only possible cause of the nausea was my gall bladder and it was removed laparoscopically in July of that year. During the surgery, I also had an exploratory pelvic laparoscopy. I made it through the surgery just fine. My recovery was something else.
My experiences being ill, not having insurance, and the surgeries, combined with the volunteer work I did with sexual health education have made me an advocate for health care consumers. I was inspired to become a certified doula because of my fascination with the human body and my experience recovering from my surgeries. I believe there should be a "doula" for every person going through medical treatment of any kind. Because that isn't an option at this time, I believe at least everyone should have a doula for the pregnancy, childbirth, and postpartum experience since it is supposed to have such a joyful result.
Resume
Education
Mountain Brook High School, Mountain Brook, Alabama, High School Diploma (2001)
Auburn University, Auburn, Alabama, attended for college (2001, 2003-2004)
Jefferson State Community College, Birmingham, Alabama, attended for college (2002, 2003)
The University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama, B.A. Political Science (2006)
The University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama, attended for graduate school (2006-2008)
Other Education and Training
Doula Certification through DONA (Doulas of North America), currently
Evidence Based Programs, Alabama Campaign to Prevent Teen Pregnancy, 2010
Organizations
Pi Sigma Alpha, Political Science Honor Society
Phi Alpha Theta, History Honor Society
Golden Key Honor Society
DONA
Volunteer Work
Gay-Straight Student Alliance at UAB, 2006-2008
SHAPE, 2006-2010
Junior League of Lee County, 2010-present
Work Experience
Cashier at Crestline Pharmacy, Mountain Brook, Alabama, 2000
Nanny/Adult Sitter/Pet Sitter/House Sitter, Birmingham, Alabama, 2002-2010
Office Manager at Suburban Mechanical, Birmingham, Alabama, 2007-2010
Bartender, Birmingham, Alabama, 2008
Owner, Queen B, Auburn, Alabama, 2010-present
Owner, Earth Mother Doula Services, Auburn, Alabama, 2011-present
