Black Midwives Day; recognize March 14, 2025
Senate Resolution 398 is a commemorative resolution that recognizes March 14, 2025, as Black Midwives Day in Georgia. The resolution honors the historical legacy and present-day work of Black midwives, especially their role in improving maternal and infant health, supporting Black birthing people, and addressing disparities in maternal care. It highlights named Georgia midwives, apprentice midwives, and organizations involved in community midwifery, doula training, and credentialing.
The resolution also frames Black midwifery as part of a broader public health response to Georgia’s maternal health challenges, including maternal mortality, maternity care deserts, and limited access to culturally competent care in both urban and rural communities. It calls attention to the need for greater recognition, reimbursement, resources, and pathways to certification for community midwives and student midwives, and it presents midwifery as a model that could help reduce health disparities and improve outcomes for families.
SR 398 does not change Georgia law or create regulatory requirements; it is a nonbinding Senate resolution. Its practical effect is symbolic and promotional, using the state’s official recognition to elevate awareness of Black maternal health, community midwifery, and the role of Black midwives in Georgia. It may support future policy discussions around midwife credentialing, reimbursement, maternal health access, and workforce development, but it does not itself amend any statutes or appropriations.
The sentiment around the resolution is strongly supportive and celebratory. The bill text is written in honorific terms and emphasizes appreciation for Black midwives’ contributions, their historical significance, and their importance in addressing maternal health inequities. No committee debate or recorded votes are provided, but the resolution’s tone suggests broad recognition of the issue and an intent to affirm the value of Black midwives and community-based maternal care.
Because no committee transcripts or vote history are included, there is no documented opposition in the provided materials. The resolution does, however, point to underlying policy tensions that could become contentious in future legislation: how midwives are credentialed and recognized, whether community midwifery should be more fully integrated into the state maternity care system, and how to address concerns about access, reimbursement, and regulation. The text also implicitly critiques restrictive laws and gatekeeping in the profession, suggesting that barriers to practice and recognition are central issues for advocates.