2026 SESSION
ENROLLED
SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 56
Designating March 14, in 2026 and in each succeeding year, as Black Midwives Day in Virginia.
Agreed to by the Senate, February 4, 2026
Agreed to by the House of Delegates, March 11, 2026
WHEREAS, Black midwives fulfill an essential role and contribute to improving maternal health outcomes by addressing disparities and providing culturally congruent care to Black birthing people; and
WHEREAS, the Black Midwives Day campaign was founded in 2023 by the National Black Midwives Alliance to designate March 14 as a day of awareness, education, advocacy, and community engagement to uplift the legacy and ongoing work of Black midwives; and
WHEREAS, the National Black Midwives Alliance will hold its second national convening in the Commonwealth in 2026; and
WHEREAS, Black maternal health in the United States remains in crisis with Black birthing people experiencing significantly higher rates of maternal morbidity and mortality irrespective of income, education, or socioeconomic status; and
WHEREAS, multiple counties in the Commonwealth face a high number of maternity care deserts, where women of childbearing age do not have access to hospitals or birth centers offering maternity care or obstetric providers, which leads to higher rates of maternal morbidity and mortality as most complications occur in the postpartum period when birthing people are far away from their providers; and