01/20/2026
Yesterday, we honored the birth and life of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.—a reminder that justice is not passive, and love is not neutral.
In this moment—when so many are feeling grief, fear, anger, and deep unrest—we are invited to ask: How will we channel what is stirred in us for good?
In midwifery and perinatal care, our answer matters deeply.
In the United States, BIPOC continue to experience the worst maternal and infant health outcomes—because of systems shaped by racism, discrimination, criminalization, and chronic underinvestment in communities. These inequities are not accidental. They are the result of policy and power.
Reproductive justice teaches us that the right to have children, not have children, and to parent in safe and thriving communities is inseparable from racial justice, economic justice, and liberation. Midwifery—when practiced with humility, accountability, and community partnership—has the power to be part of that liberation.
At National Midwifery Institute, we believe honoring Dr. King’s legacy means more than reflection. It means action. It means educating and supporting midwives who are prepared to stand with marginalized communities, to challenge harmful systems, and to provide care rooted in dignity, autonomy, and respect. It means listening to those most impacted and following their leadership.
May we take the emotions stirred in us—our sorrow, our hope, our determination—and use them to build something better for tomorrow.
May we continue the work of justice in birth, in bodies, and in communities.
