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International Day of the Midwife 5k Walks

Thanks to all of you midwives and supporters who participated in International Day of the Midwife on May 5 by walking in the "March for Midwives," an event that was held all over the world and online. You all took to the streets to support midwifery, and had a great time, too. Here are some highlights:


 
  



Albuquerque, NM (above):
About 60 participants walked on a beautiful New Mexico morning and were treated
to music from a live band as they finished up. Walkers raised a little under
$2000 for the International Confederation of Midwives. Suzanne Stalls, a former
Albuquerque midwife and current director of ACNM's Department of Global Outreach,
joined in the fun!





 
Charleston, WV (above):
Twenty-five people showed up to walk, bike, and roller skate for midwives. This group wants to make their walk an annual event and fund raiser to celebrate the International Day of the Midwife. Participants had their own lime-green t-shirts made up (shown here) to promote the walk and midwifery.

 


 

              


Ranson, WV (above):
Midwives gathered along with mothers and their families, doulas, friends, and
supporters. Four midwives, featuring both CPMs and CNMs, homebirth and hospital-based,
led the group to mark International Day of the Midwife and to raise awareness
of midwifery in the community. All told there were 50 participants, including
new babies and children of all ages, walking, riding on bikes and in strollers,
and having a great time! The group walked along Route 9 with banners, and had
tables set up with information for the public. Amnesty International attended
the walk and had a display up to help increase awareness about maternal
mortality. Reporters also attended and wrote articles for local newspapers. Ranson
midwives hope to make this an annual event, as their first walk was such a
success.






Cambridge, MA (above):
Thirty-one midwives and supporters braved the chilly, windy drizzle up and back
along the Charles River in honor of women around the world. In attendance were 15
CNMs representing 7 practices, one student nurse-midwife, and 15 partners, siblings, and supporters,
including 8 youngsters, 4 strollers, and one supporter pregnant with twins.




Morgantown, WV (above):
Midwives in Morgantown marked the International Day of the Midwife with a
lovely gathering and walk. Twenty-five people and 3 four-leggeds walked about
an hour up Deckers Creek Trail, carrying balloons, pushing strollers, and
telling stories. There were 6 midwives, 2 doulas, a couple of husbands, new
moms with babies of various ages and sizes, friends, and supporters.



                           


Sebring, FL (above): Midwives, supporters, and kids all walked together!





Concord, NH (above):
Concord midwives held their walk on May 7, gathering about 80 people and
raising $500. The Concord walk even featured a special 100-yard dash for the
kids who showed up. The weather was great and organizer Tracey Bowman, CNM, says
that everyone had a great time.