International Day of the Midwife Celebration
Our Bodies Ourselves was honored to host a celebration of the International Day of the Midwife on May 5, 2026, in partnership with the Bay State Birth Coalition, Birth Equity Justice Massachusetts, and the Community Birth & Doula Initiative by EDC and the MA Department of Public Health.
It was truly something special to stand in a room filled with powerful midwives and their advocates. This evening was filled with so much joy and gratitude for the amazing work Midwives in Massachusetts have accomplished.
Public Health Commissioner Robbie Goldstein applauded the many gains for midwifery in the 2024 Maternal Health Omnibus Law, including the advent of Certified Professional Midwife Licensure in Massachusetts. He affirmed the governor's strong support for midwives and birth centers in Massachusetts.
Midwives Melissa Nelson, Nicole Pegher, and Jesse Laurore shared powerful narratives about midwifery across generations. We presented the midwives in the room with flowers and acknowledged how long each of them has been a midwife. Over 30 midwives were in attendance, ranging from student midwives to retired midwives who worked for over 40 years.
A special thank you to The Diahann Project and Birthlooms, and Stefanie Belnavis and Nayomi S. Dowman for their amazing photo exhibition, “Midwifery + The Black Birthing Family.” The display featured eleven Black birthing mothers, midwives, doulas, nurses, therapists, and perinatal practitioners whose stories and labor continue to shape the future of birth justice.
We are also grateful to Vivian Luo (https://violinviiv.com/) for her beautiful violin music throughout the evening. The wonderful event photos shared here are courtesy of Burt Granofsky (EDC).
And thanks to all who came to celebrate the past, present, and future of midwifery in Massachusetts.
