Honoring Birth Community Ancestor: Jinny Erderly

It’s important that we keep the legacy of our community of birthworkers and healers alive. That is why I created a page on our MothersMandala website called “Honoring a Birth Community Ancestor.” Today, let all of us honor mother, midwife and friend to many, Jinny Erderly.

Proudly, I say, Jinny was one of my midwives, along with the wise-woman caring presence of Lenya Reese. These amazing women magically entered my life during my first pregnancy and birth of my daughter 24 years ago in Tesuque, New Mexico. Just a year before, I had attended my second home birth as a massage therapist with Jinny and Lenya, and knew from that moment on, that they would indeed be my midwives when I became pregnant. Little did I know, what a vital role they would play in my transformation from woman to mother and as a professional working with women in the childbearing year. Indeed they would lovingly provide a safe, healing sanctuary for me during my pregnancy, birth and as a new mother, enhancing my peace of mind, self-confidence and overall health of body, mind and soul. Professionally, they inspired and ignited, my “way of being” with families.

I loved Jinny’s presence at my daughter’s birth – she was deeply rooted in her unwavering belief in me, that I could have my baby safely at home. When in doubt during my labor, Jinny would smoothe away any fears I had with her warm, kind voice and gentle touch. Alternately, she had a fierce, protective lioness essence about her, like the goddess Kali, assuring no dark shadow would dare enter the sacred space she held for the laboring woman.

Jinny became a licensed midwife in 1982 and along with Lenya, delivered about a thousand babies in the communities of Northern New Mexico. Imagine “catching” that many babies! What a treasure Jinny was to so many of us. Paradoxically, just before her 65^th birthday, in March of 2010, Jinny was diagnosed with cancer in her right shoulder; then, one of her arms, that lovingly brought so many lives into this world, was amputated. I think all of us in the community grieved this tragic loss for Jinny. With the help of Christi Bodelli and Harmony Rose West, a joyous celebration and benefit was held in Jinny’s honor that summer. What a delightful gathering of friends, families and colleagues!

Still, the cancer persisted. Jinny would leave this world a few months later, in January of 2011, with her family and beloved midwife partner and friend, Lenya by her side. Along with so many great treasures of Santa Fe, Jinny Erderly, we honor you and your unique expression as a woman, mother, a midwife and a healer and mostly for your unwavering devotion to so many families of our community. You are not forgotten Jinny. Here, with you in our Hearts, we are nurtured, strengthened and divinely guided.

If you feel so moved please light a candle in Jinny’s honor or create an alter for her as we Celebrate her Life. And remember, you too can call on her as a “birth community ancestor” for support and guidance in your interactions with families.

by Elizabeth Rose

Elizabeth Rose has practiced and taught Massage for the Childbearing Year for 25 years, attended 100+ births as a Labor Support Doula, and is co-founder of MothersMandala.com with Elenya Grafals – the umbrella organization for their work. Most recently, she has become a Family Constellation Facilitator in the tradition of Bert Hellinger’s intergenerational healing work. She is also a mother to her inspiring 24 year old daughter, Maia.