The focus of this month’s presidential missive is an acknowledgement of just how hard things are in this world of ours. What’s going on in healthcare, in the communities midwives so fiercely and ably serve, and sometimes in our homes: this is a time when we all feel the challenge of how to keep showing up each and every day as our best selves.

CNMA 2026 Annual Meeting – SAVE THE DATE! Join us for the 2026 CNMA Annual Meeting and Retreat coming up soon on September 19-20, 2026 at the Ventura Buddhist Center in beautiful Ventura, California. Earn ACNM CEs while reconnecting with old friends, networking with new friends, and soaking in all the energy and inspiration!

I hope everyone is enjoying the spring weather. Thank you all for your membership. Your contributions to CNMA keep us in the fight, help the people we serve, our communities, and the midwifery profession. We aim to increase access to midwifery care, improve maternal-child health care outcomes with a specific focus on reducing racism-based disparities, and advance sexual and reproductive healthcare in California. Thank you for your continued support!

I hope everyone is enjoying the spring weather. Thank you all for your membership. Your contributions to CNMA keep us in the fight, help the people we serve, our communities, and the midwifery profession. We aim to increase access to midwifery care, improve maternal-child health care outcomes with a specific focus on reducing racism-based disparities, and advance sexual and reproductive healthcare in California. Thank you for your continued support!

Whenever I’m out in public—at the bank, in the park, or in the grocery store chatting with someone in line—and I mention that I’m a midwife, I’m often met with curiosity. I explain what a midwife does, where someone might access midwifery care, and how a midwife differs from an obstetrician or a doula. I find myself thinking about ways to raise public awareness of what midwifery is.

As we enter February, we take this time to pause, reflect, and celebrate African American History Month. As President of the California Nurse-Midwives Association (CNMA), I am honored to dedicate this month to celebrating the profound, foundational, and often overlooked legacy of Black midwives—our "Granny midwives" and ancestors—whose expertise shaped the very essence of American midwifery.

Message From the President Happy New Year, colleagues and friends, I’ve been reflecting on what it means to be a midwife in California, living with intention. Looking back at 2025, our collective power was on full display. We didn't just advocate for change; we lived it. Living with intention this year isn't a luxury; it’s our survival and our strength. As we cross the threshold into 2026, I plan to continue to focus on health equity, informed choice, holistic wellness, and c

Message From the President Dear Colleagues and Advocates, As we close out 2025, I want to bring your urgent attention to several critical issues impacting our profession and the families we serve across California. The strength of the California Nurse-Midwives Association (CNMA) lies in our unified voice and our ability to mobilize quickly when our scope of practice, our workforce pipeline, or our patients' access to care is threatened. A crucial battle is currently underway

Message From the President Greetings CNMA family, It was fantastic to see so many of you in Palm Springs for the ACNM Conference, 2025. I cherished the opportunity to come together in community to learn, celebrate, and network with local and national colleagues. The CNMA host booth was able to raise some funds that will go towards our legislative work. Thank you all for your support! I loved hearing all of the stories and well-wishes from our midwifery community. Thank you fo

Message From the President Margaret Bean, CNM: Creating a Legacy Dear midwives and midwifery supporters, It is my great privilege to...

Message From the President Happy New Year, We are looking forward to a productive year here at CNMA. There are many exciting happenings...

Message From the President Happy Holidays Everybody! I hope you all enjoy your time with family and friends and plan to connect and...

Message From the President Hello Friends, Election time is here. It is time to cast your presidential, state, and local votes if you...

Message from the President Dear Community, This month marks my very last full month as president of this organization. I’ve had the...

Message from the President Dear Community, We hope you all enjoyed the festivities of World Breastfeeding month in August. At CNMA we...

Message From The President Dear Community, There are so many things in this month’s newsletter that I’m excited to share with you. First...

Message From the President Hello CNMA family, Happy summer to you. My goodness time is passing quickly! The CNMA has been busily taking...

Message From the President Dear Community, Summer is almost here and the days are stretching out to their longest. School’s out for the...

Message from the President Dear Community, As it so often does for all of us, life threw some new challenges my way this month and I’m...

Message from the President Happy Spring Everyone, I hope you are enjoying the beautiful California weather, and feeling a sense of...