October 4 - October 10, 2020, as Midwifery Week

WHEREAS, this year, National Midwifery Week is celebrated during the week of October 4^th to October 10^th, 2020; and,

WHEREAS, the American College of Nurse-Midwives, headquartered in Silver Spring, MD, is the official organization for the nearly 12,000 certified nurse-midwives and certified midwives throughout the United States and the official sponsors of National Midwifery Week on a national level; and,

WHEREAS, this event is an opportunity for people to increase the knowledge and recognition of the health care service provided by midwives; and,

WHEREAS, 2020 has been declared the International Year of the Nurse and Midwife by the World Health Organization, in honoring the 200^th anniversary of the birth of Florence Nightingale; and,

WHEREAS, midwives are shown to have been a vital and growing part of the advancement of reproductive health in Michigan since the first Nurse-Midwifery practice opened in Hutzel Hospital over 25 years ago, and are collectively responsible for 8.3 percent of all births in Michigan; and,

WHEREAS, Midwifery Week acknowledges the important role midwives can play in the lives of Michiganders, whether they are assisting with a birth or providing personalized, reproductive health care;

NOW, THEREFORE, I, Gretchen Whitmer, governor of Michigan, do hereby proclaim October 4 – October 10, 2020, as Midwifery Week in Michigan.