Anna Cuffee, 28, is a dedicated mother and birth worker from the Shinnecock Nation of New York. Inspired by her own adverse birth experience, Anna studied to be a Full Spectrum Indigenous Doula and in 2019 founded Wuttahminneoh Birth Work to provide full spectrum birth support services to families in her community. Anna is building something deeply rooted in community needs while honoring cultural knowledge and lived experience.
Running Strong is proud to partner with Anna through our 2025 Dreamstarter cohort to support her work. Already, her vision for her community and supporting Shinnecock families is creating meaningful impact in her community.
Anna’s 2025 Dreamstarter Project, The “Community Gathering Space and Relief Fund” is giving Wuttahminneoh Birth Work the ability to expand its maternal and family offerings to include pregnancy, postpartum, and parenthood support. Already, Anna has expanded her educational offerings, getting staff members expanded training and creating new programming for her community members.
In July 2025, Anna hosted an Indigenous Lactation Counselor Training, certifying five new Indigenous Lactation Counselors from local tribal nations, ensuring community members have local experts to make sure babies are fed and moms have the support they need. For community members, Anna has reimagined her community offerings, tailoring Community Gathering Programming to the seasons to ensure families are getting support and knowledge they need throughout the year.
She’s also gaining new support and clientele with community outreach and connection initiatives by coordinating with local events to have pop-up style “Paumanok Breastfeeding Lodges” at community events to provide moms and families with a quiet and supportive space for nursing parents, a diaper changing station, free information, engagement activities, and 1 on 1 support from a birth/medical worker right on site.
To further support families during this important chapter of life, Anna has distributed menstrual and maternal care kits, provided meal and transportation assistance, and offered pro bono doula support, enrolling two families who will receive free birthing services. Through Running Strong’s partnership and the generosity of our supporters, Anna and her community have received 100 maternal care kits and 100 feminine hygiene kits in 2025 alone.
With 150 people served through Anna’s Dreamstarter Project already, we are excited to see what’s next for Wuttahminneoh Birth Work.
