Degree Name
MALS (Master of Arts in Liberal Studies)
Program
Liberal Studies
Date of Award
5-2005
Committee Chair or Co-Chairs
Michael R. Pinner
Committee Members
Elwood D. Watson, Marie Tedesco
Abstract
Documented as serving in the midwife capacity from the 1880s to the 1930s, the “granny-woman,” often was the only line of defense regarding childbirth support practices for many childbearing age women living in the region during the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. The early twentieth century saw the granny-women discredited and subject to elimination as a result of a purposeful campaign conducted by the male-dominated medical profession. Using knowledge of herbal remedies, the granny-woman played an integral part in the survival of the inhabitants of the region, especially related to childbirth. These centuries-old, herbal-based ministrations have been explored to aid in dispelling the erroneous conclusions related to the vital community role fulfilled by the Southern Appalachian granny-woman. Possessing knowledge of herbal-based childbirth prevention measures, the Southern Appalachian granny-woman rarely provided specifics related to the use of these measures by the women living in the region during that era.
Document Type
Thesis - unrestricted
Recommended Citation
Masters, Harriet P., "A Study of the Southern Appalachian Granny-Woman Related to Childbirth Prevention Measures." (2005). Electronic Theses and Dissertations. Paper 1004. https://dc.etsu.edu/etd/1004
Copyright
Copyright by the authors.