Stevie Merino

Biography

Stevie Merino is the co-founder & co-envisioner of the Doula of Color Training & the Birthworkers of Color Collective.

She is an Islander born in diaspora raised in Long Beach, CA by way of Guåhan (Guam) & Borinquen (Puerto Rico). Stevie’s life is dedicated to all things pregnancy & birth! She has been a doula since 2015. She felt called to this work after becoming pregnant with her little one, and dedicated herself completely. She has been a community organizer & activist since she was 14 years old and her politics shape her approach to life and work. She is the single mami to a beautiful energetic 5 year old.

Stevie is an anthropologist, sitting on the leadership of the American Anthropology Association as the Gender Equity elected seat. She conducts research on birth disparities & traditions of Pacific Islanders & Chamoru people. She co-curated a first of its kind art exhibit at The Pacific Islander Ethnic Art Museum in Long Beach, “Carrying the Pacific: Pregnancy, Birth, & Parenting of Pacific Islanders.” This exhibit was based on her research. Previously, Stevie was a trainer for BreastfeedLA 45 hour Lactation Education Specialist Training and a former childbirth educator for pregnant students at a nearby high school.