HISTORY OF ALABAMA'S MIDWIVES

   Cullman's first midwife, Mrs. Martha Speegle, was already here practicing midwifery when Col. Johann G. Cullmann settled the area now known as Cullman County. There is a road in West Cullman running north and south named for her called Speegle Blaze for the trail she took delivering babies. - Cullman County Museum

   Other midwives in Cullman County's past:
      Adra Hill
      Granny Ransom
      Tence Simpson

GREENE

   Nancy spoke to Alabama's oldest GrandMidwife, Margaret Charles Smith, author of 'Listen to Me Good' on 9 Sep who also celebrates her 96th birthday 12 Sep 2002 in Eutaw. She remembered Nancy from the AFOM meeting a few years ago and is very interested in having people sign the petition. Happy birthday Mrs. Smith!

SHELBY

   There is a Shelby County urban renewal project in Childersburg named after a midwife, Sadie Lee who attended 2,000 births in Talledega. The Childersburg Star said, "Mrs. Lee did more for her people than any other person who lived in this area". - "Listen to me Good", p 145, winner of Helen Hooven Santmyer prize in women's studies.

   For more information or if you wish to provide some information on the Alabama's midwives, contact the webmaster.