Women and Professions

Great-Grandma Mamie was a mid-wife in rural South Carolina in the 1930's, '40's, and the 1950's. She probably served an area of a thirty mile radius from her home. Great Grandma did not drive to see her patients, but her daughter, who was, at that time, an Insurance Underwriter, would often drop Great Grandma to her charges. Many of the families who were expecting another child, had several children already. Great Grandma usually prepared to stay two to three nights with the families. She not only delivered babies, but cooked nourishing meals, taught the adults and the children how to use proper hygiene, clean their homes, etc.

In those times when we all survived without running water, air conditioning, instant heating systems, electric lights with the flick of a switch,etc. Great Grandma taught me, right along with her patients, when my mother let me tag along with her on many of her rounds.

I learned to work in the other part of the house. Great Grandma and the mother-to-be would be in the largest bedroom with the door closed. She would set me up in the kitchen, either to wash dishes in the dishpan, or sometimes shelling beans or peas to start supper for the family.

Usually, late in the evening, or even sometimes later on in the night, we all would hear the new addition wailing her/his head off. We would all start to jump for joy. After some time passes, Great Grandma would emerge from the room, exhausted, but excited and happy. Another life is beginning!