About Sarah Foster Doula
Sarah Foster is a nurturing force of nature, a BADT-trained Full Spectrum Doula, and deeply committed Repro Justice Advocate. Rooted in Central Florida, Sarah offers intuitive, holistic, and evidence informed support to individuals and families, guiding them through the full spectrum of reproductive experiences. When she's not engaging in transformative birth conversations, she’s recharging with friends over Mexican food or finding balance and serenity in her garden.
Sarah’s path towards community based birthwork began more than 20 years ago when she became a teen mother, relying on the kindness and wisdom of the strong women in her community. She witnessed how deeply lived experiences impact the ways individuals received treatment during pregnancy and birth, and how that treatment shaped their ability to parent in a culturally authentic way.
In her current capacity Sarah is fortunate to cultivate vibrant community and witness meaningful connections being made. In these spaces we are reminded to celebrate and align with our inner wisdom as we prepare and advocate for the futures we want to see. Sarah believes that when we connect to our true selves, we empower our overall wellbeing which by extension can strengthen our communities and allow us to more fully embrace life’s journey with authenticity.
Engagement & Activism
Why Black Maternal Health Week Matters to Me
When I think about Black Maternal Health Week (BMHW), I don’t just see an event. I see a reflection of my own journey. I was a teen parent who learned firsthand how race, age, and economic status could shape the quality of care someone receives during pregnancy and birth. I saw how assumptions, bias, and systemic failures impacted my experience, and I also saw the power of community, education, and advocacy in reclaiming that narrative.
That is why this year, I knew #BMHW25 had to be a priority, not just as a birthworker, but as someone who has dedicated their life to ensuring that Black, Brown, and marginalized families receive the dignity, support, and care they deserve.
Giving Thanks to Xaviera 'Zay' Bell
But I did not step into this work alone. I have to give immense gratitude to Xaviera 'Zay' Bell, who is a force in her own right. Zay is a powerhouse in birth justice, a deeply respected leader, and someone whose work in Black maternal health, birthwork, and advocacy has inspired and guided so many, including me. She has shown what it means to turn passion into action, using her brilliance to create spaces that uplift, educate, and center Black birthing people.
Zay has given me a roadmap for how to successfully pilot initiatives that support this mission, how to bring people together, how to move with intention, and how to make sure the work we do leaves a lasting impact. Her commitment to this movement, her guidance, and her willingness to share knowledge have been instrumental in shaping how I approach this work.
Gratitude for Nicolle Maldonado
I also want to lift up Nicolle Maldonado, CFBN’s clinical consultant and a dedicated midwife who has worked tirelessly to reduce Black maternal health inequities. Nicolle has been inspirational in dreaming up ways to connect with our community during BMHW, bringing creative, impactful ideas to the table and ensuring that the people who need this the most feel seen and supported. She has fiercely networked on behalf of this event, helping to bridge connections, rally resources, and strengthen partnerships so that BMHW is not just another observance, but a movement that leaves a lasting impact.
What is Black Maternal Health Week
Founded by the Black Mamas Matter Alliance, BMHW, held annually from April 11 to 17, is a national campaign founded and led by the Black Mamas Matter Alliance to build awareness, activism, and community-building to amplify the voices, perspectives and lived experiences of Black Mamas and birthing people. The week is intentionally held during National Minority Health Month and begins on April 11th annually to join dozens of global organizations in marking this day as International Day for Maternal Health and Rights – an opportunity to advocate for the elimination of maternal mortality, globally. The activities and conversations hosted throughout the week intentionally center the values and practices of the birth and reproductive justice movements.
Why This Work Matters
For me, BMHW is not just about one week. It is about the ongoing work of dismantling barriers, reclaiming our power, and making birth safer for everyone. My mission has always been to advocate for the people who are too often ignored, dismissed, or harmed by the very systems meant to care for them. Whether through my volunteer service with CFBN, my advocacy, or my dedication to training the next generation of birthworkers, my goal remains the same. To build a world where every birthing person has access to respectful, equitable, and empowering care.
This year, I am not just showing up for BMHW. I am standing in the gap, ensuring that no one feels alone in their birthing journey. Because our stories, our lives, and our babies deserve better.
And to Zay and Nicolle, I see you, I appreciate you, and I honor the work you continue to do. Thank you for being the blueprint, the fire, and the community this movement needs.
Will you join us
Engagement & Activism
The idea for the BIPOC Breastfeeding Brunch grew from a deeply held desire to create a space where Black and Brown women, birth parents, and families could feel genuinely seen, heard, and celebrated. Recognizing that traditional healthcare settings often lack cultural competence and the knowing that shared experiences have the power to heal and strengthen communities, I wanted to craft an environment that both educates and uplifts.
Eatonville, as the oldest Black incorporated municipality in the United States, provided the perfect historical and cultural backdrop, honoring the legacy of those who came before us and the vibrant tapestry of our present day community.
Our event took shape as a celebration of heritage and health, rooted in stories and wisdom passed down through generations of birth workers, mothers, and caregivers. Its structure naturally emerged from what I’ve learned are the core ingredients of true community building: personal storytelling, shared meals, and meaningful connection. By centering the voices of mothers and birth professionals who have navigated their own breastfeeding and lactation journeys, we created an event that felt accessible, empathetic, and energizing.
Each component reflected the guiding values behind the brunch:
-
Inspiring Stories: personal narratives carry profound weight. They give us insight to the challenges and triumphs of others, while normalizing a wide range of lactation experiences. By highlighting personal stories, I aimed to encourage attendees to embrace their own paths and understand that they aren’t alone.
-
Expert Panels: a variety of healthcare professionals and maternal-infant health advocates who reflected the lived experience of the attendees shared their voices and specialized knowledge to ensure that participants walked away with practical tools and resources. While simultaneously providing encouragement and hope.
-
Delicious Brunch: Food is often a unifier. By offering nourishing foods, we not only catered to guests’ physical well-being, but also created a warm, relaxed atmosphere that encouraged authentic conversation and connection.
-
Networking Opportunities: I wanted to ensure that attendees didn’t just come to listen, but also to engage. By incorporating structured opportunities to meet and connect with others, the brunch naturally evolved into a network of support. New friendships formed, professional relationships sparked, and community bonds strengthened
In creating the BIPOC Breastfeeding Brunch, I saw an opportunity to unify culture, history, health, and community in one space. It’s a movement that honors the legacies of those who paved the way for better birth outcomes and health equity, and it calls everyone present to become part of that legacy. Through intentional storytelling, shared learning, and communal meals, the brunch was designed to uplift Black and Brown families, reaffirm the importance of maternal and infant well-being, and ensure that everyone leaves feeling not only informed, but empowered and truly connected.
City of Orlando Proclamation - Black Breastfeeding Week
In preparation of Our Voices, Our Stories: BIPOC Breastfeeding Brunch, I worked diligently to construct the draft which would become the proclamation issued by the City of Orlando in honor of Black Breastfeeding Week, an initiative aimed at highlighting and supporting breastfeeding and lactation in communities of the diaspora. I felt compelled to work on this important project as there is a lack of representation within Central Florida and its time to change the narrative.
