New College of Florida Alumna Pens Book on Midwives, Homebirth and the Reproductive Rights Movement

(November 19, 2010) — New College of Florida alumna Christa Craven ’97 launched her new book, Pushing for Midwives: Homebirth Mothers and the Reproductive Rights Movement, today at the American Anthropological Association’s annual meeting in New Orleans. Pushing for Midwives is published by Temple University Press.

Pushing for Midwives presents a nuanced history of women’s reproductive rights activism in the United States and explores contemporary organizing strategies in an era increasingly driven by “consumer rights.” Pushing for Midwives also provides an in-depth look at the strategies, successes and challenges facing midwifery activists in Virginia. Craven examines how decades-old race and class prejudices against midwives continue to impact opposition to — as well as divisions within — contemporary legislative efforts for midwives. Craven argues that this recognition is vital for both scholars and activists if they hope to maintain their commitment to expanding reproductive rights for all women.

Craven graduated from New College of Florida where she wrote a thesis titled “Words of Empowerment: Language and Behavior in Direct-Entry Midwifery.” She earned her master’s and doctoral degrees from American University and teaches anthropology and gender studies at The College of Wooster in Ohio.