The Midwife Center’s 3rd annual Soiree in the Strip took place on October 17, 2025. Over 200 people joined us at Heinz History Center for a special evening of connection and community. In addition to raising critical funds for The Midwife Center’s programs and services, the event celebrated a major milestone that we expect to reach in early 2026: 10,000 births since our founding in 1982. This is a number that very few birth centers in the U.S. have achieved, and The Midwife Center is honored to have supported so many families during such transformative moments.
Christine Haas, Executive Director, with Representative La'Tasha D. Mayes.
We are thrilled to share that Soiree in the Strip raised over $150,000 - a record for The Midwife Center. This includes over $10,000 raised from the silent auction, raffle, and donations leading up to and throughout the evening to celebrate the upcoming 10,000th baby. We are so grateful to our guests, community supporters, sponsors, and everyone else who made this possible.
Soiree in the Strip began with a VIP reception, featuring elevated hors d’oeuvres and extra time to explore Heinz History Center. This included the option for VIP guests to go on docent-led tours of two exhibits: Mister Rogers Neighborhood and From Slavery to Freedom. Both tours were well-attended, and guests got a deeper insight into the exhibits.
During the main event, guests also had the opportunity to explore all of Heinz History Center’s exhibits. The event also featured a special display, curated by the History Center’s archivists, showcasing midwifery history in Western PA. The featured items were pulled from the History Center’s archives and included papers from midwife Bubbe Hannah Sandusky and a blueprint of The Midwife Center’s original Penn Avenue building from the early 2000s.
Demia Tyler, MPH, CLC, CD (DONA), LCCE Advisory Committee Member & client, served as the emcee of the evening for the fourth consecutive year. Demia shared her love for The Midwife Center and how proud she is to have had two of The Midwife Center’s 10,000 babies.
Demia Tyler, MPH, CLC, CD (DONA), LCCE speaking to guests. Demia shared her experience of giving birth to her second son at The Midwife Center.
Lindsay Cashman, Board President, also spoke, along with Emily McGahey, Clinical Director. Both Lindsay and Emily shared how essential community support is to increase access to The Midwife Center’s care. Emily also spoke about how The Midwife Center always puts the needs of our clients first - something that is especially necessary and meaningful during challenging times.
The critical funds raised at Soiree in the Strip support the programs and services that keep our care accessible, including our free Postpartum Support Groups, weekly walk-in hours for primary gynecological care, comprehensive resource counseling with our Community Health Worker, and more. Because of this support, we will be ready to meet our 10,000th baby – and every client that follows – with exceptional, personalized, accessible care.
Midwife Center staff at the event with our medical director, Dr. Mary Cooper. Top row (left to right): Brittany Pickerel, BSN, RN, Dr. Mary Cooper, and Alaina Smith, BSN, RN, IBCLC. Bottom row (left to right): Nia Graziano, MSN, CNM, Haru Shimizu, MSN, CNM, and Leigh McGowan, MSN, CRNP.
Thank you to everyone who attended and supported Soiree in the Strip. Special thank you to our sponsors, VIP Host Committee, Event Committee, volunteers, Heinz History Center, Common Plea Catering, Two Frays Brewery, and everyone who made this event possible.
Thank you to Christina Montemurro Photography for these beautiful photos. View all event photos here.
