Many of us were taught about the Father of Gynecology (sometimes described as Father Butcher)---but what about the Mothers of Gynecology, the enslaved women and femmes who were forced to endure such acts of trauma and violence.
Anarcha, Betsey, Lucy.
And the other (unknown or unnamed) Black Femmes who were preyed upon and had no choice but to undergo coercive and non-consensual procedures and treatments which allowed for today's medical advancements within reproductive and sexual health.
Anarcha, Lucy, and Betsey were enslaved women from plantations in and around Montgomery, Alabama. With neither consent, choice nor anesthesia, they were experimented upon by Dr. J. Marion Sims in the 1840s. Some say, "Anarcha, Lucy, and Betsey fell into history. They changed the world, only to be forgotten by it."
We cannot forget our history or the contributions of our ancestors, especially as multiple states nation-wide are aiming to re-write and/or erase Black History. As sex educators, we must recognize and share that we would not have today's grasp and understanding of sexual and reproductive health without the non-consensual contributions and sacrifices of Black women and femmes like Anarcha, Betsey and Lucy. Similarly, without Black femmes like Henrietta Lacks ( known as the Mother of Modern Medicine); we would not have today's understanding of stem cells and how they can and have been used to create revolutionary vaccines, practices and treatments.
It is critical to pause and acknowledge these sacrifices and contributions of Black femmes and women throughout U.S. History because we continue to witness Black communities face medical barriers, racialized health disparities and mistreatment within today's healthcare system. For example, in 2023, Black women and femmes are still 3-4 times more likely to die from child birth and/or pregnancy-related concerns compared to their white counterparts. Black people and communities through U.S. History have been coerced into dishonest healthcare trials and experiments (Syphilis experiments, Puerto Rico Birth Control Pills, Sterilization procedures, etc) for the sake of medical advancement and progress; and yet, continue to be overlooked when it comes to adequate and quality health care. We must know our history in order to ensure its not fabricated or erased; and in some circumstances, not repeated.
Take a moment and acknowledge our ancestors who allowed us to have today's conversations and insights around sexual and reproductive health and care. It's necessary and powerful for our Black youth and communities to know that our ancestors played a pivotal role in today's understanding of sexual health and advancements. Thank you to the Black women and femmes that came before me; thank you to the Black women and femmes that currently build with me; and thank you to the Black women and femmes to follow after me. We will not be forgotten.
