Brittany's Midwifery College Fund
Support Brittany on her Journey to Midwifery school at the Midwives College of Utah by donating $10 or more twoards her Associates degree. If 2,300 people across the world could donate $10, Brittany could reach her goal! School begins August 31, 2015, we are hoping to meet our goal by April 2019 when she graduates! We thank you in advance for supporting the movement of educating black midwives in the US. 
Greetings! My name is Brittany "Tru" Campbell and I'm excited to share that I'm on the journey to completing my Associates of Science Degree in Midwifery through the Midwives College of Utah. I'm a 28 year old mother of 3 super awesome boys Kylan (14), Kashawn (9) and Kaleo (2). They're very proud of their mom and I'm proud of them! 
My midwifery journey began when I had my second son as a senior in high school. At that point I realized the importance of having a genuine and knowlegable midwife to support your true birthing wishses. Knowing your healthcare rights, experiencing an holistic birth as well as having the opportunity for birthing alternatives such as a homebirth, is something that every woman should be aware of and experience if she wishes. I experienced 2 cearserean births by a hospital staff who didn't care too much about how I wanted to birth, or the side affects that their methods could cause me. I decided to be my own advocate, and take my health into my own hands. I began to educate myself on the rights of women and the traditional ways of birthing. I very happily gave birth to my third son at home with no interventions, surrounded by my midwives, mother, doula, partner, and sons. I continue on as an advocate for mothers in my community who desire a more natural or traditional way of birthing.
In March 2013 I gained the opportunity to visit Ghana West Africa with Sabayet Inc. (a non-profit organization based in North St. Louis city, that focuses on cultural awareness, African centered education, and community activism) to Dutch Komenda for a week-long traditional midwife workshop. In June 2013, I went on to return to Ghana for a 4 month stay in the historic town of Elmina, further immersing myself in the traditional African culture of holistic care and wellenss through birthing.
Currently, I work as a Traditional Doula, catering to underprivleged women in low-income households or shelters, many of whom may be in domestic violence or drug situations. These women deserve to have someone that passionately cares about their success as mothers, as well as someone who is well educated to assist them in having full-term healthy pregnancies and births. I live in Ferguson, Mo., a town well known for it's racial segregration and dis-advantages for african americans and people of color. The mind-set of Ferguson spreads into the St. Louis area which affects women of color who are expecting. These women tend to get low-quality care and have no choices for a natural or home birth experience with a midwife of color. There are NO Certified Professional Midwives of color in the St. Louis area to care for our African American, Hispanic, and women of color expectant mothers.
As a Traditonl Doula, I'm taking the stand to join an instituion that is founded on making sure there is a quallified midwife for each woman in every community. By joining MCU I'll gain my credentials as a midwife, further assisting our women of color all while helping Ferguson and St. Louis move forward in the area of health and wellness. Having a midwife of color caring for the African American community and low-income families will also lower the infant mortality rates which tend to be higher in lesser advanataged areas. 
I ask that you as a community member assist me in obtaining my goals of raising enough funds to cover my tuition at MCU. I've currently applied for financial aid and a scholarship to cover majority of my tuition which totals $28, 852.00 including books and fees. At this time only $5, 052.00 of my tuition has been covered. I'll complete my studies online and on campus, while completing my clinical studies with a local home birth Midwife. The funds raised will be sent directly to MCU for my tuition. All left over funds will be used to cover cost of books, materials, and travel cost associated with my apprenticeship that takes place 30 miles away from my home. My education will be a benefit to our community at large, right here in Ferguson and St. Louis, Missouri where it is needed most. Our children are our future leaders and we have to care holistically for our mothers who carry tomorrows bright shining stars! Stand with me while we move forward together in the area of health and wellness for pregnant mothers by educating more women of color to become midwives. I thank you in advance for your kindness and support. To visit Jamaa Birth Village, a non-profit pregnancy resource center that Brittany founded to help bring affordable and accessible Midwives to marginalized communities, click here: http://www.jamaabirthvillage.org
To learn more about MCU (Midwives College of Utah) please visit this page: http://midwifery.edu