Alabama Public Radio aired a piece on our effort last week.  Listen here.  Thanks to Daniel Cherry and APR for their coverage of this issue.  

We want to thank all of the individuals who donated during the month of January.  

Thanks to ROJO restaurant for their continued generosity.  On January 24th ROJO hosted "Send Jennifer to Montgomery" night and we were able to collect donations to reimburse our citizen lobbyist, Jennifer Crook Moore, for her weekly trips to lobby for our midwifery bill in Montgomery. Thanks to the musicians who shared their time and gifts with us:  Brad Armstrong, Lee Bains III, Jason Lucia, Kate Taylor, and Taylor Hollingsworth.  Thanks especially to the individuals and families who came out and gave so generously.

Thanks to everyone who made Birth, a One Act Play by Karen Brody, a beautiful and moving event.  Particular thanks to our director, Elizabeth Hunter, stage manager Robby Naylor, and the six amazing actresses:  Melanie Jeffcoat, Sara Glassman, Gillian Puffer, Amanda Perry, Jessica Latten, and Emily Parks.  We also want to thank our honoree and talkback panelist member Dr. James Head, and our other talkback panelists:  Jennifer Crook Moore, Virginia Crescenzi, Elizabeth Hunter, and Rae Davies.  Many businesses and individuals donated money, time, space, goods, and services to make the evevnt possible: Rojo, Southern Pines Chiropractic, Area 41 Pizza, ASFA, Christine Prichard/Viewtopia, Dana Smithberg/Image Arts, Unitarian Universalist Church of Birmingham, TicketBiscuit, WorkPlay, Primavera, Chez Lulu, Melissa Barksdale, Cheeky Maiden Soap, Christy Batts, Ashley Love.  HUGE THANKS TO EVERYONE INVOLVED!!!!

Rojo, Rojo!  Como te quiero!  Last night's event was a roaring success.  The side room at Rojo was packed with friends, fans, family, and babies. The folks at Rojo are generous beyond words. Everyone there has a heart of gold!  The music was perfect. Endless thanks to Brad Armstrong, Lee Bains III, Jason Lucia, Kate Taylor, and Taylor Hollingsworth for sharing their time and gifts with us.  Thank you to all of the amazing women who made the event a success, namely Andi Lucia, Dana Gale, Laney DeJonge, and Susan Petrus.  Thanks to Mr. Dana (Jeff) Gale for bringing us into the 21st century. Thanks to everyone who so generously gave of their time and checking accounts to be with us last night.  It makes every minute I have to spend in high heels worth it!

P.S.  Go eat at Rojo!

Consider this your friendly reminder about ABC's upcoming events.  Come show your love and support for ABC!

• THIS Sunday, January 24th at Rojo in Birmingham from 6:30 - 11:00 p.m. come listen to music by Dead Fingers (Kate Taylor and Taylor Hollingsworth) and Armstrong Bains (Brad Armstrong, Lee Bains, and Jason Lucia), eat some tasty Rojo fare, and enjoy our company.  There's a $5 suggested donation at the door and at the end of it all, the unbelievably generous folks over at Rojo will donate a percentage of the night's sales to ABC.  Good music, good food, good company, good cause . . . what else could you ask for?

• Huntsville Pancake Breakfast and Silent Auction on Saturday, January 30th at 10:30 a.m. at the Wild Rose Cafe.  Please purchase your tickets in advance here. Come out, eat some tasty flapjacks, and show your love for your fellow midwife lovin' Huntsvillians!

• Don't miss the Alabama premiere of Birth, a one act play by Karen Brody, at 7pm on January 30th at the Alabama School of Fine Arts. Directed by MUSE OF FIRE: Shakespeare at Sloss founder Elizabeth Hunter, this powerful one-act play has been described as "the Vagina Monologues for birth". 

  The play captures the truth about our childbirth crisis today: it is failing most low-risk pregnant women.   Performed as part of a global activist theatre movement known as BOLD, Birth uncovers the secret lives   of regular women in labor as they confront coercion in hospitals and uncover “my body rocks” strategies   for achieving a powerful birth experience. 

  Tickets are $20 advance/$25 at the door and are on sale now!  Seating is limited, so grab yours today.

Below are messages included in the playbill for Birth, a one act play by Karen Brody, which will be performed on Saturday, January 30th at 7 p.m. at the Alabama School of Fine Arts Theatre.  Elizabeth Hunter will be directing.  Tickets for the one time performance are available here.

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*For my sisters Laana, Sonja, Tabi, Lydia, and Ruthi—I love you and am proud of you!

 
*For T.D, I.M, S.H., and P.H—BOLD midwives who give other women the strength to be bold.  I love you and can’t thank you enough!
 
*To my “mommy forever” Yvonne--thanks for giving me life and teaching me so much.  I love you!
 
*To my mom-in-law Denise--you did a terrific job raising my awesome husband!  I love you!
 
*To the BOLD women who serve on ABC’s board and volunteer for Alabama Birth Coalition:  Thank you for all you do for Alabama families.
 
*A special shout-out to Shannon and the BOLD midwives of ALMA.  Alabama moms LOVE midwives! Thank you for everything.
 
*To Judy, one of the BOLDest women I know. . .Your Birth Stories group means the world to me.  Thanks!
 
*For all of the families who are speaking out about the need for better maternity care in Alabama.
 
*I would like to honor all birthing women in Alabama.  It's your birth. . . know your options.  Happy Birthing!
 
*For my mom, Nancy: Thank you for always believing in me.  I will always be here for you through good and bad times as you have been for me!
 
*Terri LaPoint, many thanks go out to you for your kindness.  Because of you, I was able to attend the skills lab last year.  You're amazing!