HR591: HR591 Black Midwives Day; March 14, 2025; recognize

25 LC 112 3355 House Resolution 591 By: Representatives Cannon of the 58th, Bennett of the 94th, Miller of the 62nd, Hugley of the 141st, and Schofield of the 63rd A RESOLUTION Recognizing March 14, 2025, as Black Midwives Day; and for other purposes.1 WHEREAS, recognizing March 14, 2025, as Black Midwives Day unde rscores the2 importance of midwifery in achieving better maternal health out comes by addressing3 fundamental gaps in access to high-quality care and multiple aspects of well-being; and4 WHEREAS, the inaugural Black Midwives Day (BMD) campaign, founded and led by the5 National Black Midwives Alliance in 2023, is a day of awareness, activism, education, and6 community building; and7 WHEREAS, this day is intended to increase attention on the state of Black maternal health8 in the United States, the root causes of poor maternal health o utcomes, and9 community-driven policy, program, and care solutions; and10 WHEREAS, BMD venerates the work and contributions of past and present midwives who11 have ushered in new life despite a history fraught with persecution, enslavement, violence,12 racism, and the systematic erasure of community Black midwives throughout the 20th13 century; and14 H. R. 591 - 1 - 25 LC 112 3355 WHEREAS, the resurgence of Black midwifery is a testament to the resilience, resistance,15 and determination of spirit in preserving healing modalities practiced worldwide—the focus16 on holistic care, which involves caring for the whole person, family, and community, is what17 makes a difference in midwifery; and18 WHEREAS, midwifery honors a birthing person's right to bodily a utonomy; can be19 facilitated at home, in a birth center, or in a hospital; and w orks in tandem with doulas,20 community health workers, obstetricians, pediatricians, and other health care providers; and21 WHEREAS, Black families benefit from access to Black midwives t o receive culturally22 sensitive and congruent care established through trust and respect, backed by the wisdom of23 time-honored techniques and best practices; and24 WHEREAS, Black birthing people in the United States suffer from life-threatening25 pregnancy complications, known as maternal morbidities, at twice the rate of white birthing26 people; and27 WHEREAS, maternal mortality rates in the United States are amon g the highest in the28 developed world and are increasing rapidly; and29 WHEREAS, these deaths have devastating effects on Black children and families, and the30 vast majority are entirely preventable through assertive effort s to ensure Black birthing31 people have access to information, services, and support to mak e their own health care32 decisions, particularly regarding pregnancy and childbearing; and33 WHEREAS, the high rates of maternal mortality among Black birthing people span across34 income levels, education levels, and socioeconomic status; and35 H. R. 591 - 2 - 25 LC 112 3355 WHEREAS, structural racism, gender oppression, and the social d eterminants of health36 inequities experienced by Black birthing people in the United States significantly contribute37 to the disproportionately high rates of maternal mortality and morbidity among Black38 birthing people; and39 WHEREAS, a fair distribution of resources, especially regarding reproductive health care40 services, is critical to closing the racial disparity gap; and41 WHEREAS, justice-informed, culturally congruent models such as midwifery care are42 beneficial to Black birthing people; and43 WHEREAS, an investment must be made in robust, quality, and comprehensive health care44 for Black birthing people, as well as policies that support and promote affordable, holistic45 maternal health care free from gender and racial discrimination; and46 WHEREAS, the National Black Midwives Alliance is campaigning for Black Midwives Day47 to strengthen the base of Black midwives and their supporters, preserve the cultural history48 of Black midwifery as an important part of the story of America, provide advocacy tools to49 eliminate barriers to education and resources for Black midwives, build power by developing50 a national unified voice advocating for Black midwifery, address perinatal health disparities51 impacting Black communities, and elevate consumer demand for access to midwifery and52 community birth; and53 WHEREAS, it is fitting and proper on Black Midwives Day to reco gnize the tremendous54 contributions of Black midwives and their role in improving maternal health outcomes.55 H. R. 591 - 3 - 25 LC 112 3355 NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES that56 the members of this body recognize March 14, 2025, as Black Mid wives Day and honor57 Black midwives for their invaluable contributions to maternal health care and the well-being58 of families in the State of Georgia and beyond.59 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Clerk of the House of Representatives is authorized60 and directed to make appropriate copies of this resolution avai lable for distribution to the61 public and the press.62 H. R. 591 - 4 -