LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION commending co-creators Shawnee Benton-Gibson,
Sonia Daly, and Melissa Madera upon the occasion of presenting The Moth-
er Wit Conference, on April 5, 2014

WHEREAS, From time to time this Legislative Body takes note of certain
extraordinary individuals it wishes to recognize for their valued
contributions to the success and progress of society and publicly
acknowledge their endeavors which have enhanced the basic humanity among
us all; and
WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-
standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to commend
co-creators Shawnee Benton-Gibson, Sonia Daly, and Melissa Madera upon
the occasion of presenting The Mother Wit Conference, to be held on
Saturday, April 5, 2014, at the National Black Theater in Harlem, New
York City; and
WHEREAS, Coping with cultural expectations around the ideas of
conception, birth and motherhood is painful for women who have experi-
enced loss in these areas, particularly since society often lacks
compassionate and appropriate language; and
WHEREAS, The Mother Wit Conference is a unique day-long event created
to offer women from all walks of life a safe and engaging environment in
which they may give voice to their reproductive experiences, including
infertility, miscarriage, abortion, and/or post-partum depression,
thereby breaking the silence that so often accompanies these experi-
ences; and
WHEREAS, Featuring a comprehensive program of healing workshops, pres-
entations from respected academics, healers and reproductive health
practitioners, and theatrical representation, The Mother Wit Conference
will create the space for the stories to be brought to the light in
order to educate, dispel myths, allay fears, initiate transfointation
and generate healing and catharsis; and
WHEREAS, Co-creators Shawnee Benton-Gibson, Sonia Daly, and Melissa
Madera, collectively bring decades of in-depth research, professional
training, and deep personal experience to The Mother Wit Conference's
healing enterprise; and
WHEREAS, Shawnee Benton-Gibson, founder and Executive Director of The
Griots' Healing Circle, is a licensed practitioner with over 20 years of
experience in the field of social work; a healer, vision coach, perform-
ance artist, psychodramatist, community activist, inspirational speaker
and mother of three, she has written, produced and/or designed, "Monday
Morning Inspiration," "The Rooftop Visionary Collective," "The Red
Thread Movement," and "Mother Wit: Echoes From The Womb"; and
WHEREAS, Sonia A.M. Daly is a multiple miscarriage survivor and aspir-
ing voice-over artist who authored and recorded VOICES OF ZEN: A GUIDED
MEDITATION FOR WOMEN WHO 'VE MISCARRIED in 2013 to encourage other
women; in addition, she has 15 years' experience in public advocacy and
service, including leadership roles with YMCA of Greater New York; and
WHEREAS, Melissa Madera, Ph.D., is a bilingual sexual and reproductive
health and rights educator and advocate, DONA International trained
labor and postpartum doula, childbirth educator, and Gynecological
Teaching Associate, as well as the founder and director of "The Abortion
Diary Podcast"; and
WHEREAS, The Mother Wit Conference provides an excellent opportunity
for these trailblazing organizers to bring much-needed awareness and
appropriate societal responses to the complex set of emotional, mental,
spiritual, and physical health issues surrounding women's reproductive
journeys; and

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body that when individ-
uals of such noble aims are brought to our attention, they should be
celebrated and recognized for the edification and emulation of others;
now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commend co-creators Shawnee Benton-Gibson, Sonia Daly, and Melissa
Madera upon the occasion of presenting The Mother Wit Conference; and be
it further
RESOLVED, That copies of this Resolution, suitable engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Shawnee Bento-Gibson, Sonia Daly, and Melissa Madera.