Dauline Singletary shared their story and experiences with us recently and you can find our conversation below.
Hi Dauline, thank you so much for taking time out of your busy day to share your story, experiences and insights with our readers. Let’s jump right in with an interesting one: What’s more important to you—intelligence, energy, or integrity?
For me, integrity is the most important. It’s the foundation that everything else is built on. Intelligence and energy are powerful tools, but without integrity, they can be misdirected or even harmful. In my work, especially in maternal and child health, trust is everything—trust from the communities we serve, from our partners, and from our teams. Integrity ensures that our decisions are guided by what’s right, not just what’s efficient or strategic. It’s what keeps us grounded, accountable, and aligned with our mission to serve with compassion and equity.”
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
Hi, I’m Dauline Singletary, MPH, CD(DONA), for my day job I serve as the Maternal & Child Health Section Manager within local government. However, my passion lies in creating healthier beginnings for families by addressing the root causes of maternal and child health disparities. As a birth doula, I believe in meeting families where they are—with compassion, cultural humility, and evidence-based care. A birth doula a non-clinical professional who provides continuous physical, emotional, and informational support to a birthing person and their family during pregnancy, labor, and the early postpartum period
With over a decade of experience in public health education, community engagement, and program leadership, I’ve dedicated my career to improving outcomes for mothers, infants, and children—especially in black communities. In North Carolina black women and babies are at greater risk of death compared to other races. What makes my work unique is the holistic, community-centered approach I bring to every initiative. I want to ensure that every family I work with are served with respect and provided opportunities and resources to help them thrive.
At the heart of everything I do is a commitment to integrity, advocacy, and service. I’m proud to be part of a movement that’s not just about health care—but about justice, dignity, and hope for every family.
Thanks for sharing that. Would love to go back in time and hear about how your past might have impacted who you are today. Who taught you the most about work?
“The people who taught me the most about work are my parents. From an early age, they instilled in me the values of integrity, perseverance, and service to others. They led by example—showing me that hard work isn’t just about achieving success, but about doing what’s right, even when no one is watching. Their sacrifices, their resilience, and their unwavering belief in my potential have shaped the way I lead, serve, and show up every day. I’m forever grateful for the foundation they gave me—not just in work, but in life.”
What fear has held you back the most in your life?
The fear that has held me back the most in life is the fear of disappointing myself. I’ve always set high expectations, and for a long time, I measured success by how well I lived up to them. As I’ve grown older, I’ve realized that my biggest critic has always been me. That internal pressure can be both a motivator and a barrier. But with time, I’ve learned to give myself more grace—to celebrate progress, not just perfection, and to recognize that growth often comes from the moments when we fall short and keep going anyway.
Alright, so if you are open to it, let’s explore some philosophical questions that touch on your values and worldview. Whom do you admire for their character, not their power?
I admire my grandmother, Mrs. Flora Mae Greene, for her character—not her power. She was a small, petite woman with a heart full of wisdom and a spirit grounded in truth. What I admired most was her unwavering authenticity. She never ‘faked the funk’—she was true to herself in every situation, and that boldness taught me to be the same. From her, I learned the power of being unapologetically yourself, of standing firm in your values, and of leading with quiet strength. She always told me, ‘I know you’re going to go off and do great things,’ and those words have stayed with me. Her belief in me, even before I fully believed in myself, gave me the courage to lead with confidence and purpose. Her legacy lives on in how I show up every day—with strength, honesty, and heart.
Thank you so much for all of your openness so far. Maybe we can close with a future oriented question. What do you think people will most misunderstand about your legacy?
I think what people may most misunderstand about my legacy is the belief that I do this work for awards or accolades. The truth is, I don’t. I serve because I genuinely love supporting communities. I believe that everyone—regardless of their background—deserves a fair chance at living a healthy, dignified life. My work is rooted in purpose, not praise. If anything, I hope my legacy reflects a life of service, compassion, and a deep commitment to equity—not recognition.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: Daulinethedoula
- Facebook: Dauline Singletary
- Other: [email protected]
