Ruthie Taylor (1868 - 1931)

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Ruthie Taylor’s life reveals both the rich legacy and erasure of midwives from American history. 

Born into slavery, Ruthie became a midwife and practical nurse. While census records often list her occupation as “none,” she did much more for her community. Ruthie’s knowledge bridged generations, rooted in African traditions carried to the U.S. by enslaved women. Her work valued birth as both a medical and spiritual event.

Throughout the 19th century, almost all babies were born at home. Black midwives attended the majority of Black births, especially in the South. As the medical field professionalized, male doctors gradually claimed childbirth, calling traditional practices outdated and unsafe. In the early 20th century, restrictive laws and influential figures continued to paint midwives as untrained and unsanitary, shifting birth from the home to hospitals.

Yet Ruthie persevered. She worked under Dr. McCaleb at what is now Brackenridge Hospital. Her skill and passion saw her continue to work, even within a medical system that marginalized her role. From Ruthie’s life, we learn the importance of valuing the ways that recorded history often misses the full story—leaving us to interpret, assume, and honor the legacies that persist despite erasure.