From the desk of Gina Forbes Workshop coordinator/doula/student midwife.

I took the ALACE Labor Assistant Training as a nervous but excited 21 year old college student without any idea of the impact it would have in my life. I was attracted to birth and midwifery, but my path was not clear yet. ALACE seemed like a great place to get started. After those three days, my life truly changed and I began to open to the possibilities and the path laid out before me with confidence, strength and joy.

And then, six months later, there I was--just graduating from college and being hired at ALACE as the Workshop Coordinator! I felt so honored to be in the circle of ALACE women working to empower women in birth. I will never forget the excitement of coming to work at THE ALACE OFFICE. It felt surreal to now be a part of an organization that I respected and admired so very much.

My past two years here have continued to be life-changing and incredible. ALACE has taught me so many things. I have learned how to be an efficient event planner, how to be an "organizational doula," supporting the growth and development of an organization. I have learned to be a strategic planner, a creative marketer, a savvy business woman (all things that come in very handy as a doula and midwife running your own business). I learned how wonderful ALACE members are and how dedicated and large a community we have across the US, all working to transform birth culture. I have made life-long friends and been inspired to keep working when the going gets tough because of the heart of these ALACE women. I have learned about my own challenges and strengths. Without these experiences I don't know if I would be where I am today, and I thank all of you who have shared your wisdom and passion with me along the way. I really can't thank you enough.

It is with great courage, sadness and joy that I say goodbye to this part of my journey in the birth world and hello to becoming a midwife. My time at ALACE has helped me understand my true calling and because of this beautiful lesson, I am opening further to midwifery and am taking the next steps to make it happen. And that means that I have to say goodbye.

I hope to remain an active part of ALACE and find new ways to contribute in the future. I look forward to seeing ALACE grow on her own path and blossom further into a larger, more demanding presence in the birth field. And I am very excited to watch Whitney Hogan, ALACE's new Workshop Coordinator, bring her fresh energy and enthusiasm to the position. She will truly be an amazing presence for ALACE!

So, here's to change--hellos and goodbyes, and to birth in whatever form it takes.

With Love, Gina