Cherise Gordon Doyley
I fought a JUDGE from my hospital bed in labor…
…now I’m fighting for every pregnant patient’s right to say “no”…
National Speaker on Birth Justice, Obstetric Violence, and Informed Consent.
Available for Keynotes, Panels, Law Schools, and National Conferences
As Seen On
The Story Behind the Voice
I’m Cherise Gordon-Doyley, a birth justice educator, advocate, and the founder of Soul Sista Birth Services. For years, I’ve been on the ground in Jacksonville, Florida, showing families how to navigate systems that too often fail them.
But in 2024, my advocacy became a fight for my own life.
While in active labor with my fourth child, I was forced to fight a judge from my hospital bed. Because I exercised my right to say "no" to a major surgery, I was treated like a criminal instead of a patient. My story—which has now sparked a national reckoning through ProPublica, CNN, and NPR—is the evidence of why our birthing rooms need a revolution.
I didn’t choose to become a national headline, but I am choosing to use this platform to ensure no other pregnant person is stripped of their autonomy. Through my Roots of Resistance initiative and my work as a national speaker, I am turning my survival into a blueprint for justice.
I’m not just sharing a story; I’m providing the receipts.
Sustain the Storyteller. Support the Movement.
Advocacy is full-time labor. Your support ensures Cherise can continue to lead this national fight for birth justice while caring for her own family.
Right now, Cherise is at the center of a national reckoning. Between interviews with NPR, CNN, and major media outlets, she is doing the vital work of demanding accountability for the medical and legal systems.
This work requires time, focus, and resources. Every donation goes directly toward:
Family Stability: Sustaining Cherise’s household and her four children while she is stepped away from her regular postpartum doula work to lead this advocacy.
The Roots of Resistance: Funding the community initiatives that turn this viral story into lasting legal change.
Direct Advocacy: Ensuring no other family has to face a judge from a hospital bed.
Your contribution is more than a donation it’s an investment in bodily autonomy.
Shop The Movement
This tee speaks with conviction. Bold white type fills the front, stating a clear stance that invites conversation and stands against court-ordered surgical interventions. The black cotton backdrop keeps the message sharp and readable. Wear it to rallies, clinic solidarity gatherings, or out on the streets when you want your values visible—this shirt feels lived-in from the first wear and keeps that look over time. Breathable, lightweight, and cut for a straightforward, familiar fit, it moves easily under a jacket or on its own. It’s a wearable statement that sits comfortably in everyday life while carrying weighty meaning.
Product features
- 100% ring-spun cotton for a soft, lightweight feel (certified Oeko‑Tex)
- Tubular knit construction—no side seams for a cleaner look and reduced fabric waste
- Ribbed, elastic crew neckline with shoulder tape for shape retention
- Pearlized tear-away label for added comfort; EU 2-year warranty and safety compliance
- Prints produced with DTG for main artwork; DTF used for sleeve and inner neck details
Care instructions
- Do not dryclean
- Do not bleach
- Tumble dry: low heat
- Iron, steam or dry: low heat
- Machine wash: cold (max 30C or 90F), with similar colors
Impact over Profit: $10 from every shirt sold goes directly to the Roots of Resistance Advocacy Fund to support legal action and birth equity training. We don't just wear the message; we fund the fight.
| XS | S | M | L | XL | 2XL | 3XL | 4XL | 5XL | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Width, in | 16.00 | 18.00 | 20.00 | 22.00 | 24.00 | 26.00 | 28.00 | 30.00 | 32.00 |
| Length, in | 27.00 | 28.00 | 29.00 | 30.00 | 31.00 | 32.00 | 33.00 | 34.00 | 35.00 |
| Sleeve length, in | 7.99 | 8.23 | 8.50 | 8.74 | 9.02 | 9.25 | 9.49 | 9.72 | 9.96 |
| Size tolerance, in | 1.50 | 1.50 | 1.50 | 1.50 | 1.50 | 1.50 | 1.50 | 1.50 | 1.50 |
Wear the Truth. Start the Revolution.
In the delivery room, a "No" should be final. But for too many, medical bias turns a sacred moment into a legal battleground. This isn't just a t-shirt; it’s a direct challenge to a system that has spent centuries prioritizing control over care.
When you wear the "Medical Racism is the Real Disease" tee, you aren't just making a fashion choice—you are wearing your activism. This shirt is designed for the doulas, the midwives, the survivors, and the allies who refuse to stay silent about obstetric violence and systemic bias.
Part of the Roots of Resistance official collection, every purchase fuels our advocacy fund, supporting the legal fight for birth equity and bodily autonomy. Don’t just watch the viral moment—join the movement to ensure that every birthing person is seen, heard, and respected.
The Statement:
Bold Typography: High-contrast print for maximum readability during protests, hospital advocacy, or daily wear.
The Message: Explicitly calls out the root cause of the maternal mortality crisis.
The Impact: A portion of all proceeds goes directly to the [Your Name/Roots of Resistance] legal and advocacy fund.
Technical Specifications & Fit
While the message is heavy, the wear is effortless. We use premium ring-spun cotton to ensure this becomes a staple in your advocacy wardrobe.
Premium Comfort: 100% soft, ring-spun cotton (153 g/m²) that feels substantial but breathable.
Built to Last: Features a ribbed collar and shoulder taping to maintain its shape through every wash and every protest.
Seamless Design: Tubular knit construction (no side seams) for a smooth, professional drape that looks great layered or alone.
Ethical Standard: Made with ethically sourced cotton and OEKO-TEX certified materials—advocacy you can feel good about wearing.
Impact over Profit: $10 from every shirt sold goes directly to the Roots of Resistance Advocacy Initiatives to support birth equity trainings for parents and providers. We don't just wear the message; we fund the fight.
Care Instructions
To keep your message crisp and your activism loud:
Wash: Machine wash cold (max 30C or 90F) with similar colors.
Dry: Tumble dry on low heat.
Iron: Use low heat if necessary; do not iron directly over the print.
Note: Do not bleach or dry clean.
XSSMLXL2XL3XL4XL5XLWidth, in16.0018.0020.0022.0024.0026.0028.0030.0032.00Length, in27.0028.0029.0030.0031.0032.0033.0034.0035.00Sleeve length, in7.998.238.508.749.029.259.499.729.96Size tolerance, in1.501.501.501.501.501.501.501.501.50