Wednesday, August 28, 2019
A select group of AWHONN members is joining forces to compose a position statement that addresses respectful birth while confronting racism and bias in all places where birth occurs, as well as within the association.
The group was motivated to take action by the notable rise in maternal morbidity and mortality in the United States, and the equally alarming disparity resulting in Black women dying at a rate three times higher than White women.
Below are the six AWHONN members who have volunteered to develop the official position statement, which will be presented to AWHONN’s Board of Directors in November:
Rose L. Horton, MSM, RNC-OB, NEA-BC, Chair
Ifeyinwa Asiodu, PhD, RN, IBCLC
Sandra Davis, PhD, DPM, ACNP-BC, FAANP
Gwendolyn A. Foster, MSN, CNM
Cheryl Larry-Osman, MS, RN, CNM (Board of Directors liaison)
Monica Woingust MSN, RN
AWHONN is the leading content expert for nurses working in this space.
Addressing structural and institutionalized racism and health disparities is critical to the association, members and the people who are cared for by women’s health, obstetric and neonatal nurses. This position statement will be the foundation of AWHONN’s commitment toward eliminating racism and racial bias in our association and in the areas of nursing practice. The position statement is expected to be released in December 2019.
The Association of Women’s Health, Obstetric and Neonatal Nurses (AWHONN) is a 501(c)3 nonprofit membership organization. Our mission is to empower and support nurses caring for women, newborns, and their families through research, education, and advocacy.
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For more information, please contact Shannon Doolin at 202-261-2410 or sdoolin@awhonn.org.
