Mel Kennedy (They/Them)
Mel has been working in the Reproductive Justice community since 2009. They are extremely passionate about inclusive reproductive health care for all people. Mel serves the Virginia,Maryland, and DC area as a full spectrum Doula, Childbirth Educator, and Certified Lactation Consultant.
Mel is currently studying to become a Certifed Professional Midwife with the National Midwifery Institute.
Instagram: Mel_Kennedy_Garden
FB: facebook.com/TheGardenReproductiveHealth
Website: https://www.thegardenreproductivehealth.com/
Hadassah Burt-Miller (She/They)
Hadassah is known by many people as Das the Doula. She is a mother of a college student and wife to a supportive partner. She is originally from the Bronx, NY. They have spent over 15 years working for non-profit agencies supporting mentally ill adults in NYC. She is incredibly passionate about reproductive justice and educating her community on their options in and out of the hospital. Over the last few years, they have made a diligent effort to help birthing people access doula support, childbirth education, and other free and low-cost resources while centering Black and IPOC. Hadassah has been intentional about moving to PG County and has even donated several packages to ensure that families received doula support virtually and in my area. Hadassah has been doing this as a Full Spectrum Doula, Lamaze Educator, Placenta Encapsulator, and Maternal Health Consultant.
Her aim is to become a Certified Professional Midwife (CPM). This distinction is given by the North American Registry of Midwives (NARM). Living in PG County, Maryland she intends to join the small number of Black out-of-hospital licensed midwives serving Maryland, D.C., and Northern Virginia and currently in Phase 3 of the PEP (apprenticeship) process. This process is costly and requires a lot of emotional, physical, and financial sacrifices. It will be challenging to work and travel to different states to study under preceptors as their apprentice. The plan is to return to the Kentucky/Ohio region for four months later this year. This scholarship has given Hadassah the ability to turn in paperwork and move closer to becoming a licensed midwife. Upon completion of her NARM requirements, Hadassah will continue to be a safe space for Black birthing people.
Instagram: @dasthedoula and @myrtletree.midwifery