SR398: SR398 Black Midwives Day; recognize March 14, 2025

This resolution does not change any law. It formally recognizes March 14, 2025, as Black Midwives Day in Georgia, joining a day already observed nationally. The resolution lists Georgia Black midwives, apprentice and student midwives, and organizations such as the Accreditation Commission of Community Midwives Education and Certification, the Alliance of Certified Community Midwives, and the Bellies to Babies Foundation, describing their work expanding access to midwifery care. The resolution's preamble discusses Georgia's maternity care deserts, disproportionately high Black maternal mortality rates, and the historical decline in the number of midwives across the Southeast. It concludes by directing the Secretary of the Senate to distribute copies of the resolution to the public and the press.

• Formally recognizes March 14, 2025, as Black Midwives Day in the Georgia Senate.
• Names specific Georgia Black midwives, apprentice midwives, and midwifery organizations for their work.
• Directs the Secretary of the Senate to prepare and distribute copies of the resolution to the public and the press.
• Creates no new legal requirements, funding, or penalties; it is a symbolic statement of recognition.

Black midwives, apprentice and student midwives, and midwifery organizations named in the resolution, along with Georgia families in maternity care deserts who rely on midwifery care, particularly Black birthing people affected by higher maternal mortality rates.

While the resolution creates no binding policy, it publicly acknowledges the role of Black midwives in addressing maternal health disparities and Georgia's maternity care deserts, potentially drawing attention to calls for better reimbursement, credentialing, and access to midwifery care.

• The resolution's whereas clauses describe the historical decline of midwives in the Southeast from 43,000 to a few per state by the 1980s.
• It states that Black midwives serving out-of-hospital settings show better maternal outcomes than hospitals in some cases.
• It notes Georgia is experiencing a maternity care desert crisis affecting access to hospitals, birth centers, and obstetric providers.
• The resolving clause designates March 14, 2025, as Black Midwives Day in honor of Black midwives' contributions to maternal and infant health.
• The final clause directs the Secretary of the Senate to distribute copies of the resolution to the public and press.

1. 2025-03-18Senate Read and Referred (Senate)
2. 2025-03-13Senate Hopper (Senate)

• Donzella James (D, SD-028)Primary sponsor
• Michael Rhett (D, SD-033)
• Nan Orrock (D, SD-036)
• Derek Mallow (D, SD-002)
• Jason Esteves (D, SD-035)
• Randal Mangham (D, SD-055)
• Tonya Anderson (D, SD-043)
• Gail Davenport (D, SD-017)
• Kenya Wicks (D, SD-034)
• Sally Harrell (D, SD-040)
• RaShaun Kemp (D, SD-038)
• Elena Parent (D, SD-044)

• maternal health
• midwifery
• Black maternal mortality
• maternity care deserts
• Georgia Senate resolutions