Into the Light of Day: Reflections on the History of Midwives of Color Within the American College of Nurse-Midwives

by Linda Janet Holmes, M.P.A.

Through reflections of midwives of color and a review of selected articles and historical documents, this report traces the history of midwives of color, beginning with the opening of the Tuskegee School of Midwifery for Colored Nurses in September 1941 with a class of 4 students.

It goes on to chronicle the nearly 40 years of informal and formal meetings of the Midwives of Color Committee (MOCC) and its antecedents.

Net proceeds of the sales of Into the Light of Day are added to The A.C.N.M. Foundation's Midwives of Color Scholarship Fund, which supports students and midwives of color enrolled in basic midwifery education and doctoral education who are ACNM members, thereby increasing the number of midwives of color in the profession of midwifery and the number of midwives of color in leadership roles.

About They are the World

Movable sculpture 18"X20" on stand

Acrylic on plastic

Paula Hare is an artist whose work is inspired by Wisconsin's abundant natural beauty. She has developed unique techniques to bring her art to life in paint and sculpture. They are the World represents a collaboration between friends, an artist and a midwife, Lisa Hanson PhD, CNM, FACNM, FAAN is a midwifery researcher, Endowed Professor, and Associate Director of the Marquette University College of Nursing, Midwifery Program.

The sculpture is the globe transformed into a world of midwives and the people they care for. The word midwife appears in 24 world languages. The people of the world touch in a circle representing various cultures, identities and communities. The North Pole is covered by a sunflower. A moonflower (Morning Glory) and its vines cover the South Pole and ocean waves.