Leondra Smith

Birth and postpartum doula, Social media coordinator

Leondra is the new social media coordinator for SDBFC. While working as the program assistant for the Hearts & Hands Volunteer Doula Program at UCSD Health, Leondra is also a birth and postpartum doula, as well as working towards her CLEC and CBE certification. 

Leondra was raised in San Diego, and in her free time enjoys spending time with her partner and family. She is 1 of 8 children, so there is never a dull moment. 

Leondra’s Story: 

I started my journey into being a birthworker after a humanitarian trip to the Philippines in 2015, there I had the privilege to partner with a small midwifery clinic in one of the villages. I have always loved infants and pregnancy but had never seen it this up close and personal. I had the honor to assist in a birth and I knew from that moment on I wanted to be involved in some capacity. After I returned to the states, I started to research midwives and nurses and came across a doula. I instantly signed up for one of the workshops. 

After completing the training I was ready to jump all in! Growing up in what would be considered lower income or maybe even poor to some,  my passion has always been to help those less fortunate and this was my way to do that. I teamed up with a few local organizations that offer assistance to teen moms, and then went to work at a pregnancy shelter in Texas. 

Since that workshop in 2016 I have never stopped learning, I have discovered there are always new books and articles to learn from. I am currently working towards becoming a Childbirth Educator through CAPPA and a Certified Lactation Educator through UCSD. I desire to  grow and learn in all of these areas because I want to be as knowledgeable and available for my sisters of color who have not had the same opportunity to learn. As a Black woman, I believe it is my responsibility to be available for women of color who need education and support throughout their pregnancy and postpartum journey; including labor and lactation.