Ana Rodney, President/Legislative Director:
A practicing Doula for nearly 18 years, a yoga instructor, energy healer, and wellness practitioner based in Baltimore City, Ana is currently the Director of Advocacy and Public Policy for Doula Alliance of Maryland. The Founder of MOMCares and the Rising Mama, a wellness organization that centers mothers in the delivery of care and support to the entire family unit, Ana has spoken and led workshops throughout the Mid-Atlantic, addressing audiences at Johns Hopkins Hospital, University of Maryland Medical System, Greater Baltimore Medical Center, and George Washington University. A graduate of Morgan State University, Ana serves as a Baltimore City Women’s Commission commissioner and supports the Legislative Policy agenda for the commission. Ana is the Chair of the Baltimore City Maternal Mortality Review Board as well as a member of the Fetal Infant Mortality Review Board, and has served as a Perinatal Mental Health Consultant for the Baltimore City Health Department. Ana has been acknowledged by the Public Justice Center for her contributions and collaborations in Policy in Maternal Health. She is the recipient of the NARAL MD Prochoice Young Advocate award, NOBEL Shining Star award in Health, OSI Community Fellowship, Warnock Foundation Award, and other awards for her service to the families of Baltimore City. She was named a Baltimore Homecoming Hero in 2019 and a Game Changer by Baltimore Magazine in 2021. Most recently, Ana has been awarded the Goldman Sachs One Million Black Women Impact Grant for MOMCares and is an alumni of the Goldman Sachs 10k small business program. She has a background in education, teaching in Baltimore City as an artist, Spanish and English co-teacher between 2006-2014. Finally and most importantly, Ana is mother to Aiden and Asher Rodney, ages 10 and 4, respectively.
Evelyn Fielding, Secretary/Outreach Director:
As Outreach Director, Evie is continuing the amazing work of Celia Garcia Perez and the Outreach Team in building Coalition MFSB! She has actively supported MFSB since 2012 and strongly believes in promoting education about childbirth options and informed choice. Her vision is to improve access to midwifery care for families of all backgrounds and to bridge the gaps between out-of-hospital maternity care and the medical system. The individualized, unhurried and relationship-focused care she received from midwives was transformative. She is a mother and a clinical psychologist in private practice.
Ashley Baxter holds a BS in Biology from Salisbury University and currently works in Food Protection at the Howard County Health Department. She has one son who was born by unplanned cesarean. After a traumatic birth experience, the journey to educate herself on options for future births sparked a passion for informed consent, birth choices, and advocating for improving maternal health care. Ashley has been volunteering with Maryland Families for Safe Birth since 2020 and joined the Board of Directors in 2023. Her hope is to empower other women in knowing their rights and options, along with improving maternal health care, bridging the gap between community-based midwifery and the medical system, and expanding access to midwifery care.
