While it was midwifery that brought Susan and I together, in this world of many acquaintances, I was blessed to count Susan as a close friend. We shared being native New Yorkers living in the Southwest desert, were as likely to discuss the best method for preparing the Thanksgiving turkey as wording for midwifery legislation, laugh together while watching a movie, and share the stories of our far-flung families. Susan and Ernie became the extended relatives where we took our grandson for holiday meals, researched ancestry along with decorating decisions, celebrated midwifery “wins” and mutual friends. Susan’s presence was a gift….her passing leaves a hole in our lives.
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Susan Jenkins has always been one of my heroes, unparalleled in her knowledge of the law as it relates to midwifery and healthcare. I am so grateful for her life and the legacy she has left. She i will remain in our hearts with an enormity of gratitude and fond remembrance. Rest in peace, Susan, and thank you for all you have done for us for so many years.
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My deepest sympathy to her family. I haven’t crossed paths with Susan in many years, but she made a huge impression on me when I worked at ACNM and I’m so sorry to learn of her passing. She was such a fierce advocate for midwifery and we owe much to her work.
Rest in peace Susan.
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It is so hard for me to envision a world without Susan in it...especially as we have so many ongoing struggles in our longstanding efforts to secure access to midwifery care, especially in out of hospital birth settings. Susan was both a friend and a colleague, and I sometimes stayed with her and Ernie while in Albuquerque, or before a visit to my sister in Santa Fe. They were amazing, thoughtful hosts and could seamlessly combine the personal with the political. Susan made me laugh even in my most frustrated moments.
She was always full of possible solutions no matter what problem I posed, and during one trip, she even hosted a fabulous house party for Our Bodies Ourselves. The gathering of midwives, doctors and others who cared about women's health issues generated lively conversation and lots of food for thought (the tasty treats were delicious, too).
I always looked forward to connecting with Susan whenever I could. Her brilliant legal mind always came up with creative strategies for defending midwives of all kinds, especially in states quite hostile to midwifery care.
I will miss Susan dearly.
-Judy Norsigian, co-founder and past executive director of Our Bodies Ourselves (which is now based at Suffolk University...a home that Susan highly approved of)
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I remember the feeling of joyful discovery I had when I found an actual lawyer who actually knew about midwives and was doing real legal work to advocate for them!! Susan!! You gave me hope, and helped me feel less alone, and lit a torch for me to follow. Thank you for letting me learn from you. Thank you for your guidance and support, your leadership and vision, your fortitude. You will be missed, but your legacy and your contributions to our field will live on.
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2015, Albuquerque, NM, USA
A meeting of some Birth Rights Bar Association members, coincided with the MANA conference
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