Community Celebrates Midwife Nora McNeill’s 50-Year Milestone: Legacy of Faith, Compassion, and Empowering Births
- Elisa Ballard
- 22 hours ago
- 4 min read
Hundreds gathered at the Shasta District Fairgrounds in Anderson, California, on Saturday, March 21, 2026, to honor Nora McNeill, RN and licensed midwife, who has dedicated 50 years to serving families in Redding and across Northern California. The free, family-friendly event celebrated her remarkable career, during which she has attended more than 1,185 births—many in home settings—while mentoring future midwives and advocating for low-risk pregnancies outside traditional hospital environments.
The afternoon and evening featured activities tailored for all ages: bounce houses, face painting, balloon artists, crafting stations, food trucks, free cupcakes, and live jazz performances by Allison Scull and Victor Martin. Display tables showcased memorabilia from Nora’s five decades of service, highlighting stories of empowered mothers and the peaceful, faith-centered care she provides.
Master of ceremonies Jonathan Anderson, Executive Director of the Good News Rescue Mission, opened the program by introducing heartfelt testimonials.
First was Shannon Smajda, CPM, a former student of Nora’s who now practices midwifery in middle Tennessee. Shannon credited Nora with teaching her the “Nora talk”—a moment of compassionate yet firm encouragement during labor, urging mothers to surrender to the process while maintaining the highest standards of care. She praised Nora’s ability to recognize when a home birth needed to transition to hospital support, always prioritizing safety.
Next, Alice Bennett from Trinity County shared a dramatic story from December 1993. Stranded in Redding due to bad weather and sudden labor while shopping, she was directed to Nora by her physician. Arriving soaked and in active labor, Alice received not only expert delivery of her healthy baby boy but also warm hospitality—Nora fed her, washed her clothes, and provided comfort in her home.
The third speaker, Vicky, humorously recounted delivering a 9-pound baby after a prolonged labor. Her water broke seven days early, but contractions were slow; she waited patiently at Nora’s home as three other mothers arrived, labored, and delivered before her.
Nora addressed the crowd, describing midwifery as a divine calling sustained by God’s strength. She has persevered through long nights, personal losses—including the sudden death of her first husband from a cardiac event and one daughter from an asthma attack—and the demands of the profession. When she asked attendees to stand if they had used her services, many rose. She then invited those with multiple births under her care to remain standing, revealing one woman with nine babies delivered by Nora and another with 13.
Among the attendees was Carli Smith, daughter of the late Suzie Smith, a beloved REACH Air Medical Services flight nurse who tragically died in October 2025 following a helicopter crash on Highway 50 in Sacramento. Carli, a close friend of Nora’s and a second-generation client, represented the deep community ties Nora has fostered.
A representative from Assemblymember Heather Hadwick’s District 1 office presented Nora with a special certificate recognizing her contributions to building stronger communities.
Filmmaker Brandon Ballard, who entrusted Nora with the births of his two children, spoke movingly about her character, resilience in the face of adversity, and spiritual influence. Inspired by her story, he has produced the documentary She is Fearless, a preview clip of which was screened. The full film is slated for completion this winter and a premiere at Redding’s Cascade Theatre.
Several of Nora’s former students joined her on stage to share how her mentorship shaped their paths. Despite past attempts at retirement, Nora’s faith and passion have kept her practicing; she hopes to continue as long as she is able. Her home’s proximity to a hospital ensures safe transfers when needed, underscoring her commitment to informed choice and evidence-based care for low-risk pregnancies.
Nora’s husband, Mike—whom she met in 2017 when he drove for Redding Area Bus Authority (RABA)—offered warm reflections in a Shasta Unfiltered interview. “My wife is a go-getter, do-it-now person,” he said. Now retired, he assists at the Good News Rescue Mission and cherishes witnessing the joy, laughter, and first cries in their home. “This is the way it must have been for eons,” he noted. Due to the nature of the profession, long trips away from home are not possible, but he says they do get away locally and enjoy dinners out often.
The event was made possible by generous sponsors including Grace Doulas, Milk and Motherhood Lactation LLC, R Ranch, Turtle Bay Exploration Park, Paint with Light Photography, Spencer James Confectioners, Little by Little Wine Boutique and Bar, Townsley’s Massage Therapy, Nathan Henricks, Capturing the Essence Salt Cave, Waffle Bite, Flutterbyjo, Recovery Mobile Detailing, Totally Twisted Balloons and More, Sweetie’s Café and Catering, The Bantam Kitchen, Damburger, Einstein Bros Bagels, Old Shasta Coffee Company, Tori Boersma, Trends Vintage Marketplace, and HydroTallow. Proceeds will support midwifery education initiatives.
Nora McNeill’s legacy endures not only in the thousands of lives she has touched but in the generations empowered to choose birth on their own terms—with safety, dignity, and faith at the center.
To learn more about Nora McNeill, go to: www.reddingmidwife.com
