For Alexandra Clark, pursuing an advanced practice role in nursing was never just a career move—it was a calling rooted in faith, justice, and an uncompromising devotion to protecting and empowering life through the sacred restoration of birth, family, and community. As a nurse-midwifery student at the George Washington University School of Nursing, Alexandra is preparing to enter a field where compassion and evidence-based care intersect with profound social responsibility. Her journey, shaped by a deep conviction to address systemic inequities in healthcare, promises to make her a formidable advocate and a deeply compassionate provider.
The Pandemic Shift: From Burden to Purpose
The decision to pursue nurse-midwifery solidified for Alexandra during one of the most challenging periods in modern history. “The moment I knew midwifery was my calling was during the pandemic, when there seemed to be a spike in Black maternal and infant mortality rates,” she recalls. This wasn’t a moment of fear, but of crystal-clear purpose. Alexandra felt a divine prompting—God placed it on her heart to “stand in that gap”—to serve families of color with compassion, advocacy, and dignity in the role of a Certified Nurse-Midwife (CNM).
For Alexandra, birth and family are sacred. Her passion is about restoring that sense of safety and reverence for women who have historically been unseen and unheard in clinical settings. Midwifery, in her view, transcends a simple career path; it is a “ministry,” a way to blend science, spirit, and justice in service to others. This driving mission ensures that every long night of study and every challenging clinical rotation is approached not as an obligation, but as preparation for the sacred work ahead.
Sustaining the Journey: Grace, Faith, and Intention
Balancing the demands of a rigorous graduate curriculum, clinical rotations, and personal life requires a deliberate strategy. For Alexandra, that balance is rooted in grace, faith, and intention.
“I rely on prayer, discipline, and giving myself permission to rest when needed,” she explains. By approaching her studies and clinical work as a calling, she is able to stay centered even through long days and life changes. This perspective is reinforced by keeping her “why” close—the women and families she is called to serve.
Her advice to prospective students centers on maintaining this core purpose: “Stay grounded in your purpose. Let faith guide you, community sustain you, and self-care remind you that you cannot pour from an empty cup.” This intentional blend of spiritual fortitude and practical self-care is what allows her to sustain the demanding rhythm of graduate school while keeping her focus clear: to provide equitable, culturally responsive care, especially to women of African descent.
Beyond Birth: Addressing Systemic Inequities
Alexandra is quick to challenge the narrow perception of the nurse-midwife role. She believes one of the most misunderstood aspects of the profession is the belief that a midwife’s work begins and ends with labor and delivery.
“While birth is a sacred and transformative part of the profession, midwifery extends far beyond that single moment,” she says. Modern midwifery is about providing evidence-based, inclusive, and deeply personal care that honors the whole person throughout their lifespan—in body, mind, and spirit.
The major challenge, however, is not just educating the public about the breadth of the CNM role but also addressing systemic inequities. Alexandra is highly focused on dismantling biases and neglect within the healthcare system that disproportionately affect women of color.
After graduation, her plans are ambitious and multifaceted. She intends to practice clinically while simultaneously advancing her work in birthing justice at the policy level. Alexandra hopes to be a voice at the intersection of community and government, advocating for birthing justices that bridge policy and lived experience. Furthermore, she is committed to deepening her study of women’s hormonal health, with a specific focus on conditions like fertility, fibroids, and endometriosis in women of African descent. She refuses to be confined by a single definition of her role, aiming instead to grow and evolve within every dimension of nurse-midwifery, letting curiosity, compassion, and purpose be her guides. Ultimately, her goal is to be a voice for change, providing compassionate, culturally responsive care and, crucially, mentoring future providers to recognize the humanity, resilience, and strength in every patient they serve.
The Power of Community and Lived Experience
A particularly transformative experience for Alexandra was her first midwifery course, Midwifery Professional Role Development. Through this class, she interviewed practicing midwives and learned about the American College of Nurse-Midwives (ACNM). Hearing the depth, diversity, and impact of the profession and seeing how midwives advocate for each other through organizations like the Midwives of Color Council (MOCC) was transformative.
This experience demonstrated that midwifery is more than just a clinical practice; it is a community and a calling grounded in collective support. Being an active student member of ACNM and MOCC has provided her with guidance and connection, shaping her future identity as a midwife who is “grounded in community, empowered by mentorship, and inspired to contribute to the collective growth and advocacy of the profession.”
Clark brings unique skills and perspectives to her practice, including empathy, discernment, and a deep cultural awareness. Her lived experience as a Black woman grants her direct insight into the unique challenges and immense strengths of the communities she is called to serve. She understands that representation builds trust and healing, and she is committed to focusing not just on clinical outcomes, but on the emotional, cultural, and spiritual well-being of the women under her care.
A Vision of Health Equity
Alexandra Clark’s vision for the future of maternal and gynecological healthcare is crystal clear: a healthcare system where equity is not an ideal but a reality, and where every woman receives respectful, evidence-based, and empowering care.
She sees nurse-midwives as the essential leaders of this transformation—the providers uniquely positioned to address disparities, expand access, and create spaces for culturally responsive practices. Alexandra plans to be a powerful force in this movement by building trust within communities, using her voice to advocate unapologetically for women, and ensuring families feel protected and valued throughout their reproductive journeys.
Her personal philosophy— “I must choose courage over fear, strength over doubt, and trust over worry, knowing that I carry riches and honor in my left hand, and long life in my right. God’s presence guides me in every step”—is her constant source of motivation. Inspired by the biblical midwives Shiphrah and Puah, who stood against power to protect a nation, she views her path as alignment with a greater purpose. Clark embodies the spirit of a true servant leader, recognizing that midwifery is sacred work that demands surrender, patience, and trust. Her strength comes from the truth that her purpose is bigger than herself; it’s about being a vessel for healing, love, and justice for the women and families she serves.