30 Years 30 Heroes: Sherokee Ilse

Sherokee Ilse speaks, trains and consults across the globe, as one of the early pioneers in perinatal loss and bereavement. As a parent who has suffered through a miscarriage, a full term stillborn, and an ectopic pregnancy, Sherokee knows the trauma of perinatal loss and grief. She states, “My years of working closely with tens of thousands of families in roles such as peer support, parent advocate, compassionate navigator/advisor, social media friend, and mentor has helped me be an active voice for parents and families’ needs, desires, and wishes. As a bereaved parent myself, I can speak in the first person about what families feel, how to speak to us, and specifically how to be helpful.” As a way of giving back, Sherokee has written extensively and started her own publishing company, Wintergreen Press.

Not only is Sherokee an international advocate, but she is also a founder of a national non-profit pregnancy and infant loss center, the October Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Month Campaign and the former Co-Director of the Coalition for Positive Outcomes in Pregnancy. Over the years, she has also been involved with organizations such as the First Candle, Star Legacy Foundation, Int’l Stillbirth Alliance, RTS and ISPID. Just as CEL, she is committed to the betterment of business, family and the community. She tirelessly works to change how parents and families are treated upon perinatal loss and bereavement.

Thank you, Sherokee, for your advocacy and for the difference you continue to make!

Published on: October 19, 2018