"Granny midwives" are often found in Black communities, and act as birth attendants and community healers. They are most often postmenopausal women living in rural communities, and are usually part of a matrilineal line of descent. There are white grannies and "men-midwives" as well, but they are rare. Granny midwives primarily practice a continuation of different African birthing practices. Some slaveholders condemn granny midwives, noting the rebellious influence of grannies who support access to abortions.