Mars Lord
Nominee Profile
Location: Margate
Mars Lord is an internationally recognised doula, doula trainer, and birth activist whose unwavering advocacy and dynamic leadership have transformed perceptions and practices around childbirth, particularly within Black maternal health. With more than two decades dedicated to holding space for, listening to, and guiding birthing people, Mars's career is defined by an unapologetic commitment to action, not just awareness.
Deeply rooted in reproductive justice, Mars has fiercely championed the rights of Black women and birthing people to receive respectful, culturally competent, and equitable care. Her powerful voice has been instrumental in highlighting and combating disparities in maternal outcomes experienced by Black communities in the UK and globally. Rather than settling for surface-level conversations, Mars consistently calls for tangible change, challenging institutions and individuals alike to move beyond mere words into meaningful action.
Mars’s profound impact extends through her innovative doula training organisation, Abuela Doulas, where she educates and mentors birth workers to become confident, competent advocates for reproductive justice and equity. Known for her engaging and empowering teaching style, Mars has trained hundreds of doulas across the UK and internationally, fostering communities of practice grounded in intersectionality, inclusivity, and integrity. Her trainings not only equip doulas with practical skills but also instil a deep understanding of systemic barriers, ensuring her students become transformative forces within their communities.
As a sought-after global speaker, Mars Lord's fearless voice resonates powerfully on stages around the world, including conferences, panels, and workshops dedicated to maternal health and social justice. Her presentations passionately confront uncomfortable truths about systemic racism, misogynoir, and inequity within healthcare, driving audiences towards committed activism and sustained change. Her honesty, vulnerability, and unshakable resolve to speak truth to power have inspired countless individuals to reconsider their roles in perpetuating or dismantling oppressive systems.
Mars’s bold leadership is exemplified in her advocacy for policies that prioritise Black maternal health, pushing beyond symbolic gestures towards substantive reforms in maternity care provision, policy-making, and community support. Her expertise has made her a valued consultant and collaborator for healthcare providers, policymakers, and grassroots organisations committed to eradicating racial disparities in birth outcomes.
Mars has received numerous accolades for her work, including awards recognising her excellence as a doula and trainer, and nominations highlighting her impact as a diversity-positive role model. Her leadership and pioneering contributions have set benchmarks within the reproductive justice community, shaping standards of practice and empowering future generations of birth workers.
As a role model, Mars Lord embodies authenticity and courage, consistently demonstrating integrity, resilience, and an unwavering commitment to justice. Her mentorship has significantly influenced aspiring and established doulas alike, guiding them to confidently embrace their voices and become powerful advocates for equitable care. Mars Lord doesn’t just envision a better world—she actively creates it, one empowered doula, one supported birth, and one disrupted narrative at a time.
Deeply rooted in reproductive justice, Mars has fiercely championed the rights of Black women and birthing people to receive respectful, culturally competent, and equitable care. Her powerful voice has been instrumental in highlighting and combating disparities in maternal outcomes experienced by Black communities in the UK and globally. Rather than settling for surface-level conversations, Mars consistently calls for tangible change, challenging institutions and individuals alike to move beyond mere words into meaningful action.
Mars’s profound impact extends through her innovative doula training organisation, Abuela Doulas, where she educates and mentors birth workers to become confident, competent advocates for reproductive justice and equity. Known for her engaging and empowering teaching style, Mars has trained hundreds of doulas across the UK and internationally, fostering communities of practice grounded in intersectionality, inclusivity, and integrity. Her trainings not only equip doulas with practical skills but also instil a deep understanding of systemic barriers, ensuring her students become transformative forces within their communities.
As a sought-after global speaker, Mars Lord's fearless voice resonates powerfully on stages around the world, including conferences, panels, and workshops dedicated to maternal health and social justice. Her presentations passionately confront uncomfortable truths about systemic racism, misogynoir, and inequity within healthcare, driving audiences towards committed activism and sustained change. Her honesty, vulnerability, and unshakable resolve to speak truth to power have inspired countless individuals to reconsider their roles in perpetuating or dismantling oppressive systems.
Mars’s bold leadership is exemplified in her advocacy for policies that prioritise Black maternal health, pushing beyond symbolic gestures towards substantive reforms in maternity care provision, policy-making, and community support. Her expertise has made her a valued consultant and collaborator for healthcare providers, policymakers, and grassroots organisations committed to eradicating racial disparities in birth outcomes.
Mars has received numerous accolades for her work, including awards recognising her excellence as a doula and trainer, and nominations highlighting her impact as a diversity-positive role model. Her leadership and pioneering contributions have set benchmarks within the reproductive justice community, shaping standards of practice and empowering future generations of birth workers.
As a role model, Mars Lord embodies authenticity and courage, consistently demonstrating integrity, resilience, and an unwavering commitment to justice. Her mentorship has significantly influenced aspiring and established doulas alike, guiding them to confidently embrace their voices and become powerful advocates for equitable care. Mars Lord doesn’t just envision a better world—she actively creates it, one empowered doula, one supported birth, and one disrupted narrative at a time.