HR 591: Black Midwives Day; March 14, 2025; recognize

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.

WHEREAS, recognizing March 14, 2025, as Black Midwives Day underscores the importance of midwifery in achieving better maternal health outcomes by addressing fundamental gaps in access to high-quality care and multiple aspects of well-being; and

WHEREAS, the inaugural Black Midwives Day (BMD) campaign, founded and led by the National Black Midwives Alliance in 2023, is a day of awareness, activism, education, and community building; and

WHEREAS, this day is intended to increase attention on the state of Black maternal health in the United States, the root causes of poor maternal health outcomes, and community-driven policy, program, and care solutions; and

WHEREAS, BMD venerates the work and contributions of past and present midwives who have ushered in new life despite a history fraught with persecution, enslavement, violence, racism, and the systematic erasure of community Black midwives throughout the 20th century; and

WHEREAS, the resurgence of Black midwifery is a testament to the resilience, resistance, and determination of spirit in preserving healing modalities practiced worldwide—the focus on holistic care, which involves caring for the whole person, family, and community, is what makes a difference in midwifery; and

WHEREAS, midwifery honors a birthing person's right to bodily autonomy; can be facilitated at home, in a birth center, or in a hospital; and works in tandem with doulas, community health workers, obstetricians, pediatricians, and other health care providers; and

WHEREAS, Black families benefit from access to Black midwives to receive culturally sensitive and congruent care established through trust and respect, backed by the wisdom of time-honored techniques and best practices; and

WHEREAS, Black birthing people in the United States suffer from life-threatening pregnancy complications, known as maternal morbidities, at twice the rate of white birthing people; and

WHEREAS, maternal mortality rates in the United States are among the highest in the developed world and are increasing rapidly; and

WHEREAS, these deaths have devastating effects on Black children and families, and the vast majority are entirely preventable through assertive efforts to ensure Black birthing people have access to information, services, and support to make their own health care decisions, particularly regarding pregnancy and childbearing; and

WHEREAS, the high rates of maternal mortality among Black birthing people span across income levels, education levels, and socioeconomic status; and

WHEREAS, structural racism, gender oppression, and the social determinants of health inequities experienced by Black birthing people in the United States significantly contribute to the disproportionately high rates of maternal mortality and morbidity among Black birthing people; and

WHEREAS, a fair distribution of resources, especially regarding reproductive health care services, is critical to closing the racial disparity gap; and

WHEREAS, justice-informed, culturally congruent models such as midwifery care are beneficial to Black birthing people; and

WHEREAS, an investment must be made in robust, quality, and comprehensive health care for Black birthing people, as well as policies that support and promote affordable, holistic maternal health care free from gender and racial discrimination; and

WHEREAS, the National Black Midwives Alliance is campaigning for Black Midwives Day to strengthen the base of Black midwives and their supporters, preserve the cultural history of Black midwifery as an important part of the story of America, provide advocacy tools to eliminate barriers to education and resources for Black midwives, build power by developing a national unified voice advocating for Black midwifery, address perinatal health disparities impacting Black communities, and elevate consumer demand for access to midwifery and community birth; and

WHEREAS, it is fitting and proper on Black Midwives Day to recognize the tremendous contributions of Black midwives and their role in improving maternal health outcomes.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES that the members of this body recognize March 14, 2025, as Black Midwives Day and honor Black midwives for their invaluable contributions to maternal health care and the well-being of families in the State of Georgia and beyond.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Clerk of the House of Representatives is authorized and directed to make appropriate copies of this resolution available for distribution to the public and the press.