20/01/2026
Thank you to everyone who joined us for Wombs of Wisdom: A Day Celebrating Tea, Tradition, & Women’s Wellness at the Smith Robertson Museum & Cultural Center.
This event was designed to introduce the community to the Wombs of Wisdom Project, which is sponsored by . We extend our sincere thanks to , , and for providing exceptionSemanSandwichesal catering, everything was absolutely amazing.
For those who may not know, Scott Ford House, Inc. has served the community for over 25 years. The mission of the organization grew out of the passion and work of Dr. Alferdteen Harrison, who sought to celebrate the history of Mississippi while honoring the legacy of the Scott Ford family. The homes located at 136 and 138 East Cohea Street in the Historic Farish Street District belonged to women who served as midwives, educators, healers, and essential pillars of the community. Our organization has focused its efforts on renovating these homes to restore them as both a museum complex and a space for those committed to preserving and passing down the legacy the Scott Ford family began.
Following the COVID-19 pandemic, the organization experienced the loss of many partners and members. While the work never stopped, our capacity to expand and engage was limited during this time.
The Wombs of Wisdom Project is intended to build new connections within the community while also revitalizing longstanding ones. In honoring the legacy of the Scott Ford family, we are equally committed to creating space and support for midwives and birth workers doing this vital work today.
The event was intended to provide a space for educators, legislators, researchers, birth workers, and community members to gather and share their perspectives on what our community needs as we plan future events. We discussed maternity care deserts, the impact of socioeconomic conditions on access to safe and equitable care, and what care looks like within homes. These conversations matter. We wanted to share things that offered wellness, from herbal teas, to collaborative art activities that enhanced conversation, to being able to share stories and explore what wellness looks like for those within the community. The history of the Scott Ford family centers on many of these discussions. While it is critical to document the historical legacy of midwifery, it is just as important to continue cultivating space for those who are currently doing the work.
We are celebrating the history and legacy of the Scott Ford family as we prepare for our June exhibit opening. We are eager to partner with midwives to help us with telling the story and cultivating the importance of birthing rights and care, educators that can help cultivate curriculum development, and community workers that are willing to love this project as much as we do.

We welcome those interested in collaborating on this project and helping to spread knowledge throughout the community. As this project grows, we ask for your support, your partnership, and your grace as we nurture the students involved and continue building something meaningful together.
