As a women’s health care professional for more than 35 years, Betty Farrell (she/her) began her career in nursing, moving into midwifery. After ten years of full-scope midwifery practice in New York City and San Francisco, Ms. Farrell entered international health and development with a focus on reproductive health service delivery as a technical advisor, trainer of facility- and community-based health personnel, and program designer. Over the years, Ms. Farrell developed training curriculum, contributed to proposal development, contributed to program evaluation, facilitated project start-up, developed a service integration approach, reviewed, drafted technical papers, and facilitated development of program standards. Providing technical assistance to Ministries of Health and non-governmental organizations took Ms. Farrell to several countries in Latin America, Sub-Saharan Africa, and Asia. Domestically, Ms. Farrell currently serves on one board that focuses on ensuring quality research evidence is accessible to inform health planning including gender equity. Serving on the board of a family foundation whose legacy areas of grant making include Peace & Security, Sustainable Environment, and Reproductive Justice, Ms. Farrell’s role began in reproductive health and evolved into promoting intentional grant-making where the three thematic areas intersect. Lastly, Ms. Farrell is a fiber artist with a passion for wool—spinning and knitting. Her second and third passions include reading books and viewing films of internationally diverse origins.
