Idaho Midwifery Council

The World Health Organization has proclaimed May 5th as the International Day of the Midwife and, like his predecessors, Idaho's governors have proclaimed May 5 as Idaho Midwives Day for the last nineteen years! In some cities, the mayor has also followed suit. This proclamation honors Idaho midwives for the contributions made to the health and well being of Idaho mothers and babies, including during pregnancy, childbirth and as well as at other times.

The Idahoans for Midwives and the Idaho Midwifery Council sponsor statewide Midwives Day celebrations on May 5 or a day close to it. In past years, we have promoted midwifery also by donating new books to the public libraries in Coeur d'Alene, Moscow, Boise and Idaho Falls, in addition to having publicized gatherings at city parks, libraries and other locations in each region of the state.

Activities have included picnics with celebration cake, showing of videos on midwives and midwifery care. Many of these gatherings have been well-attended by midwives, mothers and babies and the general public. Occasionally, the press and area legislators have attended.

Midwives Day 2010 year will be especially meaningful, with midwifery licensure law recently signed by Governor Otter and many midwives on track to become licensed in the next month or so. Celebrations will be held in about May 5, 2010 around the state, including Bonners Ferry, Hayden, Idaho Falls, Moscow and other locations around the state.

Because the 2010 proclamation is not available yet, 2008's proclamation is shown below. This year's is very similar, except that 2010 marks the 20th annual observance of Midwives Day.

Midwives Day Proclamation 2008

Office of the Governor
Proclamation

Executive Department, State of Idaho
State Capitol, Boise

WHEREAS, May 5th, 2008 will mark the 18th annual observance of the International Day of the Midwife in over 50 nations worldwide; and

WHEREAS, midwives have throughout time and in all nations provided maternity care to mothers and babies; and

WHEREAS, here in Idaho, today as in times past, midwives are caring for women and babies in a variety of settings; and

WHEREAS, midwives care for women throughout their lifespan, providing maternity care, breastfeeding counseling, family planning information, and well-women care; and

WHEREAS, midwives make a strong contribution to the health and well-being of mothers and babies in the great state of Idaho;

NOW THEREFORE, I C. L., "Butch" Otter, Governor of the State of Idaho do hereby proclaim May 5th 2008 as

Idaho Midwives' Day

and encourage the people of Idaho to become better acquainted with the services offered by the midwives of our community and the contribution that they make to the families of Idaho.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and caused to be affixed the Great Seal of the State of Idaho at Boise, Idaho, on this 1st day of May in the year of our Lord two-thousand and eight and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred thirty-second and of the Statehood of Idaho the one hundred eighteenth.

C.L. "BUTCH" OTTER , GOVERNOR

BEN YSURSA, SECRETARY OF STATE