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I started BOLD on a whim. By 2006 my play Birth was getting good reviews and selling out theatres convincing me that the play had a higher purpose and that the world - particularly mothers - were ready to face the crisis in maternity care today and do something about it. That’s what BOLD is all about: telling the truth about maternity care and doing something about it. BOLD’s vehicle to achieve our mission is to use the arts as a way for people to wake up to the childbirth reality we’re facing today: the over 30 percent cesarean rate in the United States, the denial of women to birth vaginally after a cesarean (VBAC), and the inhumane treatment of women – be it physical or emotional – that is contributing to a skyrocketing number of women experiencing birth trauma. (See the August article in the Wall Street Journal.) Our BOLD Performances and Talkbacks, along with BOLD Red Tents raise awareness and money to make maternity care mother-friendly. I know this is a BOLD act. The birthing climate today is tough, which is all the more reason that pregnant women must know their birth options and understand the realities of childbirth today. I don’t want any pregnant woman walking into her birth surprised saying she didn’t know her options. BOLD events make sure this doesn’t happen. Every day I appreciate the people in communities around the world who organize a BOLD event. They go beyond the statistics with on-the-ground knowledge of how mothers are giving birth. Judging by the number of people approaching us to do BOLD events a large number of people have decided childbirth today is not good enough for mothers – whether it be lack of birth options or legislation that needs to change. BOLD organizers are willing to feed their children pizza for a few months, go a little gray and produce a play or organize a BOLD Red Tent because, as our BOLD Flagstaff organizer said, “Every birth that has a better outcome, every mother that births her baby the way she deserves to LIFTS OUR WHOLE COMMUNITY UP.” And that’s the point of social activism – lifting communities up so they can soar. BOLD’s mission is to mobilize people to take action so they can make childbirth a humane, loving, normal experience for mothers. I know the time is now to be BOLD. Please join me. Karen Brody |
