Help Train the Next Generation of Black Midwives
Your donation to the Afua Hassan Midwifery Scholarship helps remove financial barriers for Black students pursuing midwifery education. Together, we can support the next generation of Black midwives, increase access to culturally appropriate maternity care, and help improve birth outcomes in our community.
Recipients of the scholarship commit to serving the Houston area as midwives for at least two years after completing their education. In 2024, we were proud to award scholarships to three future midwives.
Every donation helps support this mission.
Honoring Afua Hassan’s Legacy
Afua Hassan grew up in New Haven, Connecticut, and graduated from Brown University in 1981 before moving to Houston. In 1983, she completed her training at the Houston School of Midwifery and went on to practice midwifery for many years. In 2011, she fulfilled a longtime dream by opening The Birthing Place in Houston’s Third Ward. The Birthing Place was the first freestanding black-owned and operated birth center in Texas.
Afua found great joy in her calling. With passion, skill, and love, she assisted in 900 births, creating a strong community of mothers and families who trusted and cherished her care. Afua transitioned on April 4, 2021, leaving behind a powerful legacy of service, compassion, and advocacy.
One of Afua’s guiding visions was simple yet profound: “More Black Midwives.” To honor her memory and continue her work, we established the Afua Hassan Midwifery Scholarship. With your support, the Afua Hassan Midwifery Scholarship is building a future of empowered families, healthier births, and a stronger community of midwives — just as Afua envisioned.
Why This Scholarship Matters
Black women continue to experience disproportionately poor maternal health outcomes in the United States.
- In 2023, the maternal mortality rate for Black women was 50.3 deaths per 100,000 live births—more than three times the rate for White women.
- The CDC reports that more than 80% of pregnancy-related deaths are preventable.
- The World Health Organization recommends supporting culturally appropriate maternity care as a strategy for improving maternal and newborn health.
- Research also shows that community-based maternity care—including midwifery and doula services—provides continuous support from pre-pregnancy through postpartum and helps improve access to care for families who face barriers.
Sources: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (2024, 2025); World Health Organization; National Partnership for Women & Families (2023)
