2023 has been a year of firsts for Supporting Sunrise. We have awarded more scholarships and more types of scholarships than ever before. The latest type of award is for Lactation Consultation, provided through Childbirth International (CBI). Congratulations to our first ever Supporting Sunrise Lactation Consultant Awardees! Please read on to learn more about the recipients.
Anna Prempeh
Anna Prempeh is a science educator and wellness enthusiast. She majored in Nutrition Science at University of Maryland College Park. Upon graduating she studied public health at George Washington University before pursuing teaching Chemistry for six years. She recently left education to be at home with her son. Following her own journey and walking with friends through infertility, she became interested in pursuing birth work. She hopes to become a full spectrum doula, specializing in fertility and postpartum care. She is excited to bring her love of nutrition and public health to bear through this work and hopes to also become a certified lactation consultant in the future as well.
Instagram: @ilact8
Ashly Brooks
Ashly, wife and mom of two, is passionate about empowering girls and women with resources to improve each stage of life. She is currently pursuing a Master’s in Nutrition and Integrative Health, where upon completion she wants to focus on menstrual and reproductive health. This opportunity to become a lactation consultant will allow her to deepen her passion for supporting the transformative journey after creating life. She is excited to offer her clients a new level of support and education thanks to this opportunity from Supporting Sunrise.
Instagram: @themcycle
DAMARIS LOPEZ
As a young girl I was fascinated with birth, my favorite shows were on TLC and it was about new moms and giving birth. I always was so drawn to babies; as I grew up I realized that was my calling. I wanted to help pregnant women and just women and babies in general. My dream is to be a midwife and help women of color because we are not looked after as we should be. Being pregnant made me realize even more how much I wanted to help. There were not many studies on WOC while pregnant or breastfeeding, so I had to do my own research. I can't wait to help others with their journeys as new mom and make it as relaxed and easy as possible.
Instagram: @damalilliana
KAYLA HILL
My name is Kayla and I’m a full spectrum doula and now a studying location councilors servicing the majority of the DMV region (Northern VA - Maryland and DC ) and I also do travel work as well. While I am not doing doula work, I work full time as a nanny. I’ve been nannying going on four years now and I love being able to help families create safe, impactful and meaningful environments for their children to blossom. My goal as a doula & lactation consultant is to impact my community and help to take the fear out of pregnancy, birthing and postpartum experiences . I plan to accomplish this through advocacy, support and educating families with all they need to know to have safe experiences. All in all I love what I do and love to serve my community.
Instagram: @the.blossomingchilddoula