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Onnie Lee Logan

Motherwit: An Alabama Midwife's Story Paperback – February 26, 2014

by Onnie Lee Logan (Author), Katherine Clark (Author)

36 customer reviews

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"Motherwit" and "common sense" were the watchwords of Onnie Lee Logan's career as a lay midwife in Mobile County, Alabama. Although she received little formal education, endured the Depression and faced a racist society, Onnie Lee Logan experienced her life as the triumphant fulfillment of a dream to be one of those who could bring babies into the world, as her mother and grandmother had done before her. Her story, told in the soft, now vanishing dialect of the Deep South, is powerful and fascinating oral history. Motherwit follows her life through her work as a servant for a wealthy Mobile family, her troubled marriage during the Depression, and her struggle to become a licensed midwife. We watch as she delivers the babies of both black and white women of Alabama--losing only one baby in 40 years. Onnie Lee Logan's forbearance in the face of the crushing prejudice of the rural South makes inspiring and unforgettable reading. When she passed away in 1995, the New York Times declared her a “folk hero,” and Time called her book “a feminist classic.” Filled with startling drama and profound wisdom, Motherwit is an important contribution to African-American history. "An amazing story. A heroic woman and life after my own heart." Alice Walker "To have told her own story, to have borne this eloquent witness to her life is Onnie Lee Logan's final triumph." Ellen Douglas in the Washington Post Book World "Oral history doesn't come much better than this." Booklist "Beautiful...her passion rings through in every line." Los Angeles Times

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Product details

Paperback: 216 pages
Publisher: Untreed Reads Publishing, LLC (February 26, 2014)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 161187386X
ISBN-13: 978-1611873863
Product Dimensions: 6 x 0.5 x 9 inches
Shipping Weight: 10.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
Average Customer Review: 36 customer reviews
Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #470,757 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #1031 in Pregnancy & Childbirth (Books)
- #6448 in Women's Biographies
- #19823 in Memoirs (Books)

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a very personal account

April 10, 2019

Format: Kindle EditionVerified Purchase

This book is a personal account that is a view of midwives in rural Alabama in the early part of 1900's and up until it was outlawed. It is the author's own words and written as she dictated to a college student. It is surprising in detail and sometimes shocking. I did enjoy this lady's story.

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Interesting, entrancing, inspiring

October 30, 2013

Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase

I purchased this book because it was required for a doula training that I completed. At first I was skeptical that a memoir/oral history would be helpful, but I was pleasantly surprised. In fact, I think I gained more from this book than I did from any of the (excellent) "how-to" type books about labor and delivery that were recommended.

The book tells the story of Onnie Lee Logan, one of the last African American "granny" midwives, in her own words. Often villified by the white medical establishment, the "granny" midwives played a vital role in the health of African Americans in the south up through the latter half of the 20th century. Ms. Logan's knowledge, skill and passion shine through on every page. Some of her stories had me on the edge of my seat. Her strong sense of midwifery as her spiritual vocation was inspiring. A must-read for anyone interested in the history of medicine, childbirth, women's studies and African-American history.

2 people found this helpful

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Mary A. Earhart

Great narrative of history

January 10, 2017

Format: Kindle EditionVerified Purchase

Women of color in the south depression-era to 1990s are represented here with the addition of unique midwife skills and experience. Both my grandmothers were white midwives in a northern state, and this is a good read, perhaps their lives were similar. Onnie had racism as well as poverty to overcome and she did it with a life of service. Excellent memoir!

One person found this helpful

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Kindle Customer

Inspiring and best book I have ever read

October 16, 2016

Format: Kindle EditionVerified Purchase

A vivid history of a poor black woman whom came into her own and willing to share her life's work, her deep belief in God, the history of her life, the Great Depression, and her journey as a midwife. As I finished reading this book I cried, unwilling to believe that Onnie's life was complete. A must-read for any and all midwives both inspiring or currently working as one. I am indeed humbled Onnie. Surely there is a special place in Heaven for you.

One person found this helpful

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Enjoyed reading

April 9, 2018

Format: Kindle EditionVerified Purchase

This book was knowledgeable, funny,and real. It tells the story most black people experienced seven today. She told the story my mom used to tell about the depression years WHICH didn't really affect blacks. They lived off what they raised and had no money anyway.

Comment

Just excellent!

November 13, 2017

Format: Kindle EditionVerified Purchase

Not at all what I expected, just better. This should be required reading by every midwife and obstetrician out there. A lifetime of doing for others, and doing it well, and then sharing it. Life values with wisdom and love. Doing God’s work for a lifetime of satisfaction. Great book!

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Patricia Kershman

Great midwife stories

June 1, 2016

Format: Kindle EditionVerified Purchase

Good book. Great history of a lay midwife who actually delivered babies in her Off hours while working as a maid for a family in the deep south. She gives us several stories of her actual NB deliveries and was finally forced to retire at the young age of 80! I enjoyed reading her rendition of her life, and writing her life in her own words without a ghost writer.

Comment

The Nspiyahd Life

I AM FULL!! great read!

August 25, 2014

Format: Kindle EditionVerified Purchase

Amazingly enough, I started reading this book because I am pregnant and planning my second homebirth. I was shocked to realize the ties that bind me to this remarkable woman. I was born in South Alabama hospital in mobile county. Soon after my last homebirth I had an in depth conversation with one of my aunts, now about 75 years old who had all 9 of her children at home....within reach of Mrs. Logan. Being that she was a very poor young black mother in those days it's quite likely that Ms. Onnie was her midwife. I will be sure to talk to all my elders when I visit mobile again and see just how many of them knew and loved her and how many of my cousins she delivered.

4 people found this helpful

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