Meet Justine (she/her):
Hi, I’m Justine! I am incredibly honored to work with people in times of transition throughout their reproductive journeys, in whatever ways that are specific to them, as I believe that everyone holds innate knowledge about what is best for themselves, their bodies and their families. For as long as I can remember, I have been passionately interested in human bodies and the cycles and transitions that we go through.
Growing up as an only child in a community based neighborhood, I was the “big sister” to all of the neighborhood kids, started babysitting my “siblings'' at the age of 10, and worked as an educator in summer camps as a teen and young adult. My experience as a caregiver, coupled with my Feminist Studies education from UC Santa Cruz led me to the world of birthwork.
As a Full-Spectrum Doula I wear many hats. I support individuals and families in making empowered, informed choices, am the shoulder to lean on, the fierce advocate, the hand to squeeze, the reproductive health encyclopedia, and the person to reflect and process with. I believe that evidence-based, whole-person, and compassionate care of the individual can collectively uplift the world.
My doula practice is rooted in the tenets of reproductive justice: the right to personal bodily autonomy, the right to have children, the right to not have children, and the right to parent children in safe, healthy and sustainable environments (Sister Song - Women of Color Reproductive Justice Collective). I believe that abortion is vital healthcare and should be destigmatized and supported. I acknowledge that there remains a lot to uproot in birth and other reproductive spaces regarding racism, transphobia, cultural appropriation and other oppressive practices, and that by centering the needs of those most marginalized we can work towards collective liberation. I am committed to anti-racist and anti-oppressive birthwork, and understand that this commitment is a continual practice of looking within to recognize and unlearn my own internal biases. 5% of my profits go to BIPOC/QTBIPOC led reproductive organizations or individual birthworkers as reparations because it’s owed and a necessary part of doing this work. Check out my Resources page to learn about some reproductive justice organizations to support, as well as a robust list of local and online community practitioners and spaces.
Education & Trainings
BS Cognitive Science, BA Feminist Studies, University of California, Santa Cruz
Labor and Birth Doula Training, Cornerstone Doula Trainings
Postpartum Doula Training, Cornerstone Doula Trainings
Supporting Families Through Loss of Wanted Pregnancies, Birth Bruja with Brooke Patmor
Know Your Rights Course, Cristen Pascucci, Birth Monopoly
Homebirth for Doulas, Juli Tilsner of Cornerstone Doula Trainings
Childbirth Education Facilitator, Cornerstone Doula Trainings
Abortion Doula Training, Birthing Advocacy Doula Trainings
Full Spectrum Pregnancy Loss, Molly Dutton-Kelly (in progress)
