Filled with Greenfield's moving poems, complemented by Minter's
dramatic portraits--dominated by rich shades of blue, of women and
babies; a unique and moving tribute to the women who caught the babies
and continue to do so today.
The Women Who Caught the Babies highlights important aspects of the
training and work of African American midwives and the ways in which
they have helped, and continue to help, so many families by "catching"
their babies at birth. The blend of Eloise Greenfield's poetry and
Daniel Minter's art evokes heartfelt appreciation of the abilities of
African American midwifes over the course of time. The poem, "Africa to
America," begins the poetic journey. The poem, "The Women," both heralds
the poetry/art pairing and concludes it with a note of gratitude to
these women. The poem that ends the book is "Miss Rovenia Mayo," who was
the midwife who caught newborn Eloise.