Today, March 8, 2022, is International Women’s Day.  The theme of International Women’s Day for 2022 is #BreakTheBias.

“Imagine a gender equal world. A world free of bias, stereotypes and discrimination. A world that's diverse, equitable, and inclusive. A world where difference is valued and celebrated. Together we can forge women's equality. Collectively we can all #BreakTheBias.”

As people around the world speak up to acknowledge that women deserve and demand services, resources and care that is specific  and appropriate to the needs of women throughout their lives, Connecting the Dots wanted to share that Midwife Jennie Joseph has been named a "Women of the Year 2022."  Jennie Joseph was just recognized by Time as one of 12 women of the year, 2022.  It should be noted that 2022 is the first time that Time Magazine has named “Women of the Year.” 

“Creating a better future for women means building bridges—across generations, communities, and borders. These extraordinary leaders are working toward a more equal world” - Time Magazine

This international recognition as one of 12 Women of the Year 2022 is long overdue for Jennie’s decades of dedicated energy, nonstop effort and unwavering commitment to providing culturally appropriate and respectful evidence based care to people during the childbearing year.  Jennie’s vision includes training health care providers and perinatal professionals to provide culturally congruent care to people growing their families.  Through sensitive and responsive support, Jennie and her staff are reducing maternal mortality and morbidity as well as improving outcomes for the babies who are welcomed through her programs.

Jennie Joseph is the founder and President of Commonsense Childbirth.  Under the Commonsense Childbirth umbrella are the following divisions:

• The Commonsense Childbirth Institute
• Commonsense Childbirth School of Midwifery
• National Perinatal Task Force
• Easy Access Clinic
• The Birth Place

The mission and scope of each of these arms are all unique, but together form a wide-reaching and comprehensive system designed to: 1) provide perinatal care and services to families who are under-resourced, 2) train health care providers and paraprofessionals to care for these families, 3) offer a location where families can birth with Certified Professional Midwives at a freestanding birth center, and 4) work on a national scale to improve maternal and infant health for BIPOC families.  These efforts are saving lives.  The JJ Way ® is a replicable model of care where every single staff member who comes into contact with a family “operates from the premise that every woman wants a healthy baby and that every woman deserves one.”

The Commonsense Childbirth School of Midwifery is accredited by the Midwifery Education Accreditation Council.  

Lamaze International has been honored to have Jennie Joseph as a keynote speaker at several conferences and events in the past, and Connecting the Dots has highlighted the remarkable skills and talents of this visionary in several posts on this blog.  Jennie Joseph will be recognized and honored at Time’s invite-only in-person gala in Los Angeles today, March 8th, International Women’s Day, along with the other 11 recipients.

Please join me in congratulating Jennie Joseph on this award and the long overdue recognition for her decades of continuous effort to improve the lives and health of parents and babies through respectful care and support.  She has demonstrated year after year, that when people center the family and offer appropriate and evidence based care, lives are saved and families are honored.

Image sources: Jennie Joseph-Midwife Public Facebook page

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