Azalea Salter

Family & Friends,

I am so excited to announce I am officially two months away from graduation! Time flies when you're catching babies! To date, I have attended 56 births and primarily delivered and managed 20 births under direct supervision. I am currently wrapping up my final births to meet graduation requirements and completing my Botanical Medicine Thesis Project. Becoming a midwife is not for the faint of heart as births last well into the wee hours of the night. I have been blessed to pray with mamas during their hardest hour of labor. In fact, my very first birth as a student midwife April 2021, there was a flag praise dancer in the birth room rejoicing over the little miracle soon to enter the world!

The sweet first cry of a newborn reminds me of why I do this work. My prayer is to serve BIPOC families, and those in marginalized communities with evidence-based, quality midwifery care. A few of my highlights as a student midwife:

*Full ride recipient of HRSA Scholarship for Disadvantaged Students (SDS): Awarded all 3 years to enable diversity in the midwifery profession amongst Black and minority care professionals.

*Congressional Keynote Speaker- Washington, D.C. : Discussed the importance of diversifying the midwifery profession to reduce maternal mortality rates in Black communities, urged legislators to increase HRSA Title VII federal funding to midwifery programs.

*Student Representative- Lobby Day Olympia, Washington: Lobbied and advocated for midwifery scope expansion of Senate Bill 5765.

*NRCDV Student Representative: Participated in a panel discussion amongst the leaders of the National Resource of Domestic Violence and the Washington State Coalition Against Domestic Violence during Black Maternal Health Week. Created a partnership-based solutions program with the WSCADV to educate and empower survivors of domestic violence about the benefits of midwifery care.

I am so grateful for your love, prayers, and generous gifts

Love,
Azalea