Midwives of Color Complementary Registration

Wow! We were thrilled to have all 30 of our complimentary registrations for MOC accepted so soon! 

MANA and the California Association of Midwives Foundation believe that the most enriching and educational conferences include people from diverse backgrounds, and for midwifery to thrive we need to hear the perspectives of midwives from all communities. Recognizing the historical barriers to inclusion of midwives of color, and their unique role in helping US midwifery to grow, the MANA Board of Directors and the California Association of Midwives Foundation were pleased to offer 30 complimentary registrations to midwives and students of color, and reduced-rate registrations for any midwives or student midwives of color beyond the complimentary 30. 

Because of the overwhelming response MANA/CAM is continuing to explore ways to fund additional complimentary registrations. 

Additionally at MANACAM17:

• Nicole Morales is offering her preconference Spinning Babies workshop free to midwives and student midwives of color. Please contact the Director of Events to register for Spinning Babies.
• Marinah Farrell is offering We are the Gardeners: Leadership Training for Midwives and Birth Workers of Color. This workshop is appropriate for every level of leaders from entry to high level positions. This workshop is a people of color space only. Register for the Leadership Training preconference workshop as part of your conference registration.

If you are a midwife of color who would appreciate the discounted rate please use this code: zynhydj6g.

If you are a student midwife of color who would appreciate the discounted rate please use this code: 62pajzmmz and follow the instructions for student registrations here.

MANA at ICM

MANA President Vicki Hedley elected ICM representative to the United Nations!

Another successful Congress of the International Confederation of Midwives (ICM) has just concluded, this time hosted by the inspiring Canadian Association of Midwives in Toronto, Ontario. ICM is the international organization that represents midwifery associations like the Midwives Alliance around the world, and meets for Congress every three years. The event includes a Council meeting where ICM business is conducted with the input of each member association. The Congress presented an incredibly diverse scientific program with speakers from around the world.

The US, and MANA in particular, was well represented at the 31st ICM Congress. There were more than 4200 attendees, and more than 10 percent of those were from the US. Director of the Division of Health Policy and Advocacy Colleen Donovan-Batson and Immediate Past President Marinah Farrell served as your Council representatives in voting matters, and a number of others attended as observers. These included our current president, Vicki Hedley, past presidents Diane Holzer and Geradine Simkins, past board member Sherry DeVries, and NARM leaders Ida Darragh and Debbie Pulley.

A number of exciting decisions were made at the meeting, so be sure to watch for our blog post coming soon with all the details. In the meantime, know that both workshops and posters were presented by MANA attendees and were well received. Our participation in US MERA was presented, members of the Division of Research had several sessions, and a powerful workshop called "The Heart Adventure" was offered as a collaboration project with MANA and The Compassionate Birth Project. One of the most exciting developments was the election of President Vicki Hedley to the position of ICM representative to the United Nations!

Watch for our upcoming blog, and start planning now for ICM 2020 in Bali!