Elizabeth Pérez is a Dominican-American doula who works to empower young expectant mothers of color living in New York City. Born and raised in New York City, Pérez got her start in doula work after her sister encouraged her to do the training. Now, she assists women before and after they give birth. She found a balance by having a private practice and working with an organization called By My Side through Healthy Start Brooklyn, which provides free doula support that includes prenatal and postpartum services for low-income women.

But the doula profession hasn’t always been the most diverse in terms of both the clientele and those within the doula community.

In this segment of “How I Made It,” Pérez, who identifies as Black and Latina, shares what it’s like to be breaking out in a profession that is largely dominated by white women and about wanting to provide doula support for low-income women of color.

Featured image courtesy of Kahlil Jacobs Fantauzzi