Tiffany Gorman
Doula, Evidence Based Birth Instructor,
Early Childhood Developmentalist
Can you share your journey into the work you do? What experiences, moments, or values led you here?
I've been taking care of babies since I was 10 or 11. I started babysitting for my cousin, people in the neighborhood, and by high school a few teachers’ kids. I also have been teaching since I was a child. I had all sorts of plans with my life! I went to culinary school to become a chef. I moved to Chicago to become a chef, and then I had a baby. I knew that restaurant life and hours were no longer for me. I didn't know what I was going to do. I was fired one early morning at Jamba Juice after a very meaningful “God I don't wanna work here anymore" prayer before my manager came in. LOL! Well, I was put into gear. I taught a cooking class at my daughter's preschool. Which led me to working there while taking early childhood education classes at Olive Harvey College in Chicago. Over the next 7 years, I worked as an infant teacher and nanny. It was during my graduate work at Erikson Institute for early childhood development, that I took a Doula training. It was at the suggestion of a fellow Fiskite friend and midwife Jeanine Logan. Here I am 6 years later, a full-time doula and birth educator and board chair of the Chicago South Side Birth Center, a center focused on culturally competent women's health services, for black women and birthing people that was founded by that same Fiskite friend, Jeanine.
Who or what has most influenced your leadership and commitment to this work? This could include mentors, community, lived experience, books, faith, or movements.
Working on the Chicago South Side Birth Center with Jeanine and her encouragement to even get into the field has been a huge blessing to me. Listening to the birth trauma stories of my friends and families disturbed me into action.
For those who feel called to doing this work, where would you suggest they begin? Is there a book, organization, practice, or resource that helped shape you?
There are lots of doula trainings, find one that will align with your values and principles. I am an Evidenced Based Birth Instructor. The Evidence Based Birth Academy, https://evidencebasedbirth.com/, is a wonderful organization for parents and birth workers alike. I did my doula training with Shafia Monroe Consulting, SMC Full Circle Doula Training, https://smcdoulas.com/. It was a wonderful program.
What wisdom or encouragement would you offer to the next generation of Black women leaders entering this space?
Birth work is social justice work. Birth work is sacred work. Birth work needs Black hands. Your desire to make a difference is great. Put it with action and change happens.
How can people stay connected to and support your work? Please share your website, social media, current campaigns, or other ways to get involved.
You can visit my website for more information on classes at www.tiffwellness.com and donate to the Chicago South Side Birth Center at www.chicagosouthsidebirthcenter.org.