Synopsis
Claudine Curry Smith delivered over 500 babies in her three decades as a midwife in rural Virginia, traveling at all times of day and night and in all sorts of weather. Born in 1918, this remarkable woman grew up in the segregated South, married at seventeen, raised seven children, drove a school bus for 37 years, picked crabs, shucked oysters, cut and packed fish, picked and peeled tomatoes, shucked corn, took care of children and elderly people, looked after sick folks, and cooked and cleaned for White people as well as for her own family. Married for 67 years, she is a treasure trove of stories about her life and times. When her first child was born with the help of a midwife, she was only 17 and living with her grandparents. To let the midwife, an aunt, know that labor had begun, someone rode by horseback to her home and she returned in her horse and buggy. Although there was no running water or electricity there, everything was ready for the midwife and the delivery went smoothly.Mrs. Smiths own practice as a midwife included many homes without running water or electricity, but she always knew what to do. She delivered several premature babies and even a set of twins. And in all her years of practice, she never lost a mother.This book tells her story in her own words, with some background information written by the co-author to provide historical context. Her story illustrates the challenges and joys of a way of life unknown to much of contemporary American society but greatly valued by African Americans throughout the South. It offers one of the few written accounts of a time and practice largely ignored by history.
About the Author
Claudine Curry Smith was born in Baltimore MD and has lived in the Kilmarnock VA area since she was three months old. As a retired midwife, she has many memories of her thirty one years of practice in two rural counties, as well as of her extensive job experiences in other roles throughout much of the twentieth century. Five of her own seven children were delivered by a midwife, giving her an additional personal perspective on the midwifery experience. At 84 years of age, she is the last living midwife licensed (although retired) to practice in the Lower Northern Neck of Virginia. Mildred HB Roberson was also born in Baltimore MD, where she grew up. She has had a home in Lancaster County VA for over 25 years. She is a retired nursing professor, with 40 years combined nursing education, service and administrative experience. She is a researcher/scholar of Southern African American health culture with 25 professional publications. Currently she is co-editing a community health nursing textbook (in progress). The authors have been friends for more than 20 years.
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