Jayda Harris - Developing scholarship applications and essays (4 points)

The key points in this activity were that I had to explain why I was a good candidate for the Doula Capacity Fund Scholarship under the Baltimore Civic Fund within the Baltimore City Department of Health, and how I can contribute to my community as a doula. These ideas expanded my thinking because I had to think critically on how I was going to make a difference in my community and how as a doula I was strengthening my personal goals in life, Additionally, I was able to think about my overall and impact that I would make as a doula and explain why I think doula work is needed and important within Baltimore City. These ideas also expanded my thinking because I was able to reflect on previous knowledge on health disparities to help support the idea that, through doula work as a Black woman, I would help to reduce the Black maternal mortality and morbidity rate within Baltimore City. This activity also made me reflect on the work of granny midwives in this country and why doula work is a vital field. 

This activity contributed to my personal and academic development by allowing me to gain hands-on experience in birth work, develop cultural competency, and engage in face-to-face patient interaction before I attend medical school. This activity also contributed to my growth because it helped me improve my written communication skills and work on an elevator pitch when developing my essay responses. Through this application, I learned that I am someone devoted to birth work and improving maternal and child healthcare in my community. I learned that I believe it is important for birthing people to have an advocate in the delivery room. 

I can apply what I learned through this scholarship and later this program to a real-world situation by using the skills I have developed to help support my clients. Through the written communication skills I strengthened by completing the scholarship application, I would be able to clearly and effectively document each client experience to report to Medicaid if needed. 

- By Jayda Harris