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Editorial: Women in partnership

Abstract:

Two years seemed a long time, when back in 1988 in Auckland some 'rash' Otago midwives volunteered the Otago Region to host the first New Zealand College of Midwives conference. We had no idaea what this would mean. Once of the things it did do, was bring together a group of five midwives and two consumers, to form the conference committee. Over the months this group developed and grew, delivered three babies and became a close knit, supportive group of women. We learned to work collectively, to value each othes' strengths, whilst we certainly put much energy into the conference organisation, our meetings became a precious time to be together, to give us time out from children, partners and work and to enjoy each other. When we looked back on the conference and our enjoyment of it, we recognised that what made it so special was the fact that women were together, learning and enjoying each other - just as we had done in our smaller group. At the conference there was a diverse group of 170 women from all over New Zealand, from all kinds of midwifery settings and with all kinds of difference experiences, beliefs, expectations and values. It seems amazing that this group could, so quickly, become a cohesive group of women who at the end of the conference could stand, arms about each other, and sing.

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first NZCOM conference, partnership, professional support