For Black women, the Nova Scotia Sisterhood is more than just a primary healthcare clinic. It’s a safe space where they feel seen, heard and supported.
Since launching in January 2023, the sisterhood has helped many Black women access the care they need, breaking barriers and rebuilding trust in the healthcare system. From medical services to advocacy and emotional support, the sisterhood is making an impact on the health and wellness of the communities they serve.
Ashley Preston, Community Coordinator for the Nova Scotia Sisterhood, says "African Nova Scotian and Black women weren’t receiving the care they needed. There were barriers in accessing care and many women felt unheard and overlooked in the healthcare system. Influenced by the success of the Nova Scotia Brotherhood, the Nova Scotia Sisterhood was created to change that."
The Nova Scotia Sisterhood’s services include a primary care clinic that offers comprehensive care for Black women. And the team is entirely made up of Black women, including two family physicians, a clinical therapist, a registered nurse, a wellness navigator with a background in social work, a community coordinator with a background in health promotion and a team lead who is a registered dietitian and administration. They also arrange access to in-house psychiatry services for their patients.
“We provide wraparound services,” says Preston. “When patients come in, they often see more than one provider. They might meet with our family physician but also receive support from our clinical therapist and wellness navigator.”
The Nova Scotia Sisterhood’s home base is the Mumford Professional Centre in Halifax, but the team also operates traveling medical clinics in North and East Preston, Upper Hammonds Plains and Downtown Dartmouth. This model brings care directly to communities which helps increase accessibility.
Beyond medical services, the team provides wellness navigation, helping clients with tasks such as completing paperwork, understanding medical information and even accompanying them to court or other important appointments to provide advocacy and support.
One of the sisterhood’s main goals is rebuilding trust between Black women and the healthcare system. Historically, Black women have faced mistreatment in medical settings, particularly in areas like gynecology. This mistrust has led many women to avoid seeking care altogether.
“Our Pap Parties are one example of how we create a safe, comfortable environment,” says Preston. “These are clinic days where women can get a Pap smear with an all-Black team of healthcare professionals. We create a relaxed atmosphere with music and refreshments. Many women tell us that, for the first time, they feel reflected in a healthcare setting.”
By offering care in a welcoming environment and by bringing clinics to the community, the Nova Scotia Sisterhood helps ensure that Black women receive the medical attention they need. For those outside of the Halifax Regional Municipality, the team hosts monthly virtual talks on various health topics, providing education and support to women across the province.
Challenges such as transportation, accessibility and systemic racism continue to impact healthcare for Black women. Many patients who visit the sisterhood report feeling dismissed by other healthcare providers, often seeking a second opinion from the sisterhood’s physicians. Others share that they have avoided care for years due to bad experiences.
“We have patients who come in and say they haven’t had a Pap test in 5-10 years because their last one was horrible, painful, or their doctor wasn’t listening to them,” says Preston. “When they come here, they feel heard and supported. It makes a big difference.”
The sisterhood also extends care beyond clinic walls. Home visits are available for those who cannot travel, making sure that patients receive the support they need, wherever they are.
Since its launch, the Nova Scotia Sisterhood has been helping Black women feel empowered and helping them learn to advocate for themselves and take control of their health.
“Some women benefit from our programs and services once, and move forward on their own,” says Preston. “While others have been with us since early on and continue to see us and access our programs and services. We are here to support women from the moment they reach out to us and aim to provide them with their desired support.”
The program works with other community organizations like Legal Aid to ensure that Black women get support for legal and health-related issues. Sometimes organizations reach out to the Nova Scotia Sisterhood for support, or they will refer people to them.
With demand increasing, the sisterhood hopes to expand their reach in the future. Right now, their family physicians provide services two days a week and appointments fill up quickly. The team hopes to grow their staff and extend services beyond the Halifax Regional Municipality to better support Black women in rural and marginalized communities across Nova Scotia.
As February is African Heritage month, the Nova Scotia Sisterhood is hosting an event at the North Grove in Dartmouth. The theme for this event is to recognize and celebrate Black health pioneers in history and their impact on health today.
“African Heritage Month is a time to reflect on the challenges our communities have faced, but to also celebrate how far we’ve come,” says Preston. “The sisterhood has made an impact, but there is still more work to be done. We want to continue building trust, removing barriers and ensuring that every Black woman in Nova Scotia receives the care she deserves.”
For anyone looking to access services, you’re welcome to self-refer. People can visit the sisterhood’s office at the Mumford Professional Centre (suite 2121), call 902-399-5473, or email nssisterhood@nshealth.ca for more information. People can also request to be added to the sisterhood’s e-mail list to keep informed about upcoming events including health talks, physical activity sessions, the monthly mental health book club and much more. The sisterhood remains committed to being a safe, supportive and empowering space for Black women.
To see their full schedule and learn more, visit their webpage here: https://www.nshealth.ca/clinics-programs-and-services/nova-scotia-sisterhood
Photo of Nova Scotia Sisterhood team members.
