Our Leadership Team

Embarking on her journey into birth work nine years ago, Erin Raftery's inspiration was ignited by the birth of her son through a c-section. This experience fueled her dedication to the cause. Subsequently, she celebrated the arrival of two beautiful home births in the state of Mississippi.

Erin's lifestyle involves full-time RVing, with her travels providing her with a rich tapestry of experiences. However, her heart remains rooted in Mississippi, where she extends her support to families through her valued doula work whenever she's at home.

Introducing Tanya Smith-Johnson, MS, CPM, a dedicated Certified Professional Midwife and a passionate advocate for Reproductive Justice. Notably, she has recently assumed the esteemed role of President at the National College of Midwifery. Tanya's commitment to her field is also evident through her leadership as the Policy Director of the Healthy Mothers Healthy Babies Coalition of Hawai'i and as the Executive Director of the Birth Future Foundation.

Within the realm of midwifery, Tanya plays a crucial role as the Director of Outreach, Advocacy, and Education for The Big Push for Midwives. Her diverse experiences include her service as a veteran in the United States Naval Hospital Corps, as well as her role as the spouse of an active-duty Civil Engineering Corp Officer.

Educationally accomplished, Tanya holds a Bachelor of Science in Biology and a Master of Science in Medical Science from Hampton University. Residing in Biloxi, Mississippi, she shares her life with her husband of 23 years and six children, whom she homeschools with dedication and care.

Rachel is dedicated to being a strong advocate for Mississippi mothers in their birthing journeys. Her own transformative homebirth encounter in 2019 illuminated the significance of licensing midwives in the state and improving birth outcomes for families. Alongside her husband, Ryan, Rachel resides in Madison, Mississippi, where they are raising their two earth-side children, Elliott and Miller. Additionally, they hold a cherished place in their hearts for their heavenly baby, Martin. Rachel's enthusiasm for discussing all facets of birth shines brightly as she juggles the roles of a stay-at-home and work-from-home mom.

Bio coming soon

Meet Savanna Boyd, a proud native of Brandon, MS. Holding a Master of Science in Nursing with a focus on Public Health Administration, Savanna is a dedicated Registered Nurse. Her expertise also extends as an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant and a certified birth doula.

Savanna's areas of special interests encompass Spinning Babies Technique, Evidence Based Birth, and Hypnobirthing. Her professional journey includes valuable stints in the Well Baby Nursery, NICU, and Outpatient Newborn Clinic within local hospitals.

Central to her mission is the empowerment of all women in their decision-making processes. She ardently advocates for accessible midwifery care, striving to ensure that women have the opportunity to choose knowledgeable providers who prioritize evidence-based practices.

Kashuna is a doula, birth attendant, and Program Manager. She is an advocate of all things birth-related and a childbirth educator with 7 years of experience. Kashuna and her son Malachi reside in the greater Jackson area.

Raquel Boyd Scott is a Jackson, MS native, and wears multiple hats as a devoted wife and mother of three. Her deep-rooted passion lies in the realm of childbirth, and she has cultivated a fulfilling career as a labor and delivery nurse, a certified lactation counselor, and a certified doula.

With six years of experience in the field of birth work, her central goal is clear: to actively contribute to the drive for legalizing direct entry midwifery. This endeavor is aimed at establishing midwifery as an unquestionably safe choice for all individuals experiencing birth in Mississippi.

Her purpose and driving force stem from personal experiences, as she herself has undergone home births for two out of her three children. This unique perspective, combined with her background as a labor and delivery nurse, underscores her commitment to ensuring the implementation of best practices and fostering strong relationships between midwives and local hospitals. These efforts are crucial for seamless and secure transfers in cases where hospital care becomes necessary.

Born and raised in Starkville, Mississippi, Mary Kathryn's journey into the world of homebirth advocacy began with her own experiences as a mother and sparked a profound passion for maternal health and childbirth choices. Determined to make a difference, she embarked on a mission to promote homebirth as a viable and empowering choice for expectant mothers.

With a career spanning eight years in the field of marketing, Mary Kathryn has harnessed her skills to create a platform for raising awareness about homebirth and maternal health. One of Mary Kathryn's most significant contributions to the cause is her involvement with Better Birth Mississippi. Her passion for the organization's vision and mission has been her driving force to advancing their goals to ensure that every mother in Mississippi has the support and information needed to make the best choices for their unique birthing journey.