From the Archive: A Letter From the Founder (April 2018)
Editor's Note (2026): This letter was originally published during the launch of Hija Del Sol Birth Services in 2018. At the time, I was a newly certified doula, a young mother, and a woman rebuilding her life after some of its most difficult chapters. Today, as Birthers of Civilization enters a new season, I wanted to republish this piece as a reminder that every institution begins as an idea, every movement begins with a person willing to try, and every success story has chapters most people never see.
A Letter from The Founder (Join the website launch giveaway!)
To The Readers:
As many of you may or may not know, this journey into BirthWork has been anything but easy. Over two and a half years ago, I made the decision to step on to a path I felt to be more in alignment with my 'higher' purpose; This was when I first felt a pull into birth-work. I, for one, wasn't/am not one of those doulas who "just knew" I was to one day become a birth-worker since my adolescent years.
"I, honestly, had to undergo my own set of trials and tribulations in order for this to be revealed and even when it was revealed, it wasn't until I conquered my own misinterpretation of what a healer truly is, that the manifestation of this overwhelming vision came to fruition."
After the birth of my daughter, many women gravitated towards me. Women reached out to me mostly through my social media platforms to connect—my guess: drawn in by my family's charisma and my ability to relate and authentically share my thoughts. My messages would be inundated with younger women, women in their 20's (such as myself), women older than myself, and even women's partners asking for advice, wanting to know my thoughts on breastfeeding, pregnancy, and/or a number of other maternal/childbirth related topics... It was overwhelming at times; but I understand it was to serve as a catalyst.
"Life tends to insert herself and remind you that there are certain experiences that will be out of your control but are undoubtedly a part of your destiny and testimony."
My doula certification was put on hold as I dealt with a most debilitating split with the father of my child before the baby turned 6 months old. With the decision to split & live separately came the burden of taking on his financial responsibilities... On top of the struggles of postpartum stress (and/or depression), working my 2 jobs to support myself and the baby, transporting the baby to and from daycare with nothing but a bike/Uber, custody disagreements over our daughter, meeting my own biological father after 15+ years, getting evicted out of my apartment & then becoming homeless—I had enough stress on my shoulders to induce a mental breakdown.
Honestly, talking about my homelessness can still feel embarrassing even though this summer makes two years since. After a friend (I had met through my organizing work in college) learned of what happened to me, she made it her priority to make sure I was safe, fed, nurtured, and sheltered. She understood that because it was the summer, and my full time job had been a substitute teacher—I was out of work (and paychecks) for the entire summer break.
"We made the decision that summer to become roommates and that significantly altered my life forever."
When I first saw her, I had on a dirty gray long-sleeve shirt I'd been wearing religiously to stay warm with these long, (stinky) forest green gym pants. The fit was especially comfortable if memory serves correct. I remember thinking I'd never be able to wash the smell of homelessness out of these clothes I'd worn and slept in for days at a time. I threw them away grateful for all of the warmth and loyalty they provided me.
Over a year and a half passed by... By this time, my roommate and I said our "Goodbyes." I was secure enough mentally, spiritually, physically, and financially to live on my own. By this point—I was back in a flow with handling my daughter's routine again, completed my doula certification, served as a doula to a few mothers, formed my own business with the state, been working two or three jobs consistently, and focusing on my self-care practices. Sometimes you have to just keep going.
"Sometimes you have to just keep going."
I say all of this to say: all of this has been a great testament to my personal strength, capabilities, determination, and ability to execute. I am forever humbled by everything I've gone through and experienced. I wouldn't change any of it for any amount of money. There are certain experiences, like the ones I and you have experienced, that build character that money just couldn't buy, no book could ever teach, and no person could possibly fake.
I hope this serves as a reminder that you have more resources at your disposal when you understand that nothing but the way you carry yourself separates you from any other person.
Here's to just enough rain to appreciate the sunshine.
All my best,
Athena Gabriella
Certified Birth Doula & Founder of Hija Del Sol Birth Services
Published by Athena Gabriella Guice on April 2018.