We were lucky to catch up with Barbara Verneus recently and have shared our conversation below.
Barbara , so great to have you with us and we want to jump right into a really important question. In recent years, it’s become so clear that we’re living through a time where so many folks are lacking self-confidence and self-esteem. So, we’d love to hear about your journey and how you developed your self-confidence and self-esteem.
I developed my confidence and self-esteem in realizing there is only me, that does what I do in my own skin, in my own DNA. I developed my confidence and self-esteem by fumbling through my mistakes and learning from them. I developed my confidence and self-esteem by reminding myself of my accomplishments. I developed my confidence and self-esteem by learning more of my ancestral lineage and seeing this path chose me more than I chose it. I developed my confidence by having an amazing child who encourages along the way and knowing she is watching me as her example. I developed my confidence by being open to feedback for those who have walked this path before me. I developed my confidence and self-esteem through the affirmations from people about my calling along the way, especially when I wanted to tap out. I developed my confidence and self-esteem by knowing and understanding that I am the blueprint to everything that has life and a form of vibration here in this physical realm and I can orchestrate it however I desire my story to play out because I am the author of my life. My tenacity will not allow me to give up. So I take each task one breath at a time as a way to remain grounded knowing this calling is bigger than me and whatever I am unable to complete in this time someone else will take on the task to assist in completing the greater and divine good for our society as a whole. I developed my confidence and self-esteem by remaining grateful at all times no matter what I am going through because in that mindset I am still available to be used and move through life intentionally and purposefully.
Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?
I am a first generation Indigenous Haitian American who comes from a line of ancestral midwives from my maternal side. After digging into my mother’s lineage, I realized that midwifery chose me more than I chose it. In 2003, I became a doula serving mothers in New York City. In 2006 , I traveled to Senegal, West Africa to volunteer with the African Birth Collective, and decided then to become a midwife. Since, I have trained in several states (NY, MA, PA, TX, and NJ).
I am a mother to an amazing being. Inspired by the birth of her daughter, I launched Tiny and Brave Holistic Doula Services in 2015, gained my masters in counseling with a concentration in Marriage and Family, in 2016, and began my journey towards becoming a midwife.
I have conduct workshops in the Boston, MA on women’s reproductive health, infant, and adolescent health. I have led workshops, across the country, on topics such as racism, motherhood and mental wellness; breastfeeding and the history of Black midwives within radical birth work. I have also been featured in several social media platforms. To date, I have attended over 300 births since starting my journey in birth work. I am currently a faculty instructor at Midwifery College of Utah. And I am currently a mentor to 44 student midwives. And I look forward to serving the city of Dallas, TX and beyond.
Currently, I am working on a year long research that will create an tangible resource for Black, Brown and Indigenous families; and I am in the process of completing my first book to be released in 2024.
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
The three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey are; as I mentioned before is my tenacity does not allow me to give up but that came through what I intentionally feed myself physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually and doing that you create a stronghold or fortitude against intrusive thoughts, lies and even unsolicited advice and opinions and energy from others. Another quality is the ability to dream big and believing and knowing those dreams can be accomplished even if they cause me to shiver in my own skin. I have always been a dreamer and along with that comes eventually figuring it out, no matter how long it takes me; no matter how many times I bump my head against the wall because in turn it expands me outside my comfort zone and expands the possibilities of what I can do and accomplish. Another quality is always staying curious and always remaining in the posture of a student who desires to learn at any given time by whoever or whatever. Just sitting in the realization and the truth that, the earth is your footstool and the heavens is your throne and your very existence is a miracle, so why subject yourself to living a mediocre existence; however that you may mean and look like for you, which can only be defined by you.
How can folks who want to work with you connect?
As my path in midwifery continues to unfold, grow and expand, I truly desire to partner with a like-minded midwife in this journey. I wouldn’t advise anyone to do this work alone. Though midwifery is so rewarding, it also can be very taxing to one’s well being. I have met so many amazing midwives in my journey you came before me and I will continue to network and build genuine relationships that one dat will bring me to ideal partner midwife.
Many Black, Brown and Indigenous midwives have left the path of midwifery or are now deceased due to various reasons like being burnt out, having cancer, heartaches, strokes etc.
Midwifery is communal ceremony that should not be alone as a practitioner. So take the time to care for yourself as much as you care for everyone else.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.thecounselingmidwife.com
- Instagram: @tinyandbrave
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/tinyandbraveholisticservices
- Twitter: @tinyandbrave
