Microaggressions in the Birth Room: What to Say, What Not to Say, and How to Repair

Laurice Snyder (she/her) is a Certified Birth Doula (*hopefully can say this officially before Summit), DONA International Member, and the owner of Rooted Wings LLC, where she supports individuals and organizations in cultivating care-centered, equitable practices grounded in dignity, accountability, and respect. Her work bridges human-centered leadership with the deeply relational nature of birth work, recognizing birth spaces as powerful sites of trust, vulnerability, and transformation.

With over 20 years of experience in education, administration, and equity leadership, Laurice brings systems-level expertise into her doula practice, helping birth workers strengthen communication, navigate power dynamics, and provide culturally responsive care that honors each family’s lived experience.

Laurice’s approach is rooted in both professional training and lived experience. Having navigated poverty, homelessness due to domestic violence, and the complexities of racial identity, she brings a deep understanding of how systemic inequities show up in care spaces and how intentional, compassionate, trauma-informed practices can foster safety and belonging.

A sought-after facilitator, strategist, and coach, Laurice is known for guiding participants through challenging conversations with humility and practical skill. She co-founded The Humanity Project: Telling the Untold Story, the first community-led event in Fond du Lac, WI centered on uplifting the histories of people of color, and launched Courageous Conversations at the Dinner Table to build trust and dialogue across difference.

Laurice holds a B.A. in Sociology and Spanish and an M.A. in Cultural Foundations of Education, and is a certified Cognitive Coach, IDI® Qualified Administrator, and CQ® Facilitator. She lives in Wisconsin with her spouse and three spirited children.