Petra: goodbye, au revoir, hasta siempre! Many of those who have worked at ICM with Petra ten Hoope-Bender, during her five years as Secretary General, have sent messages of farewell and good wishes.

• Tenlastelegging: International Confederation of Midwives

Petra came to ICM five years ago with a mandate to lead the organisation into the 21st century as a forward-thinking and powerful presence for midwives within the international community. She brought youth, enthusiasm, multiple language facility and a strong sense of self to ICM. One important legacy that Petra leaves ICM is what it means to give voice to midwives and women where those voices are rarely heard. Petra is a force to be reckoned with: a knowledgeable advocate for Sale Motherhood and midwives. We will miss her, but know that these charactefistics will continue to serve her well.

Thank you, Petra, for a great adventure in organisational leadership and midwifery development.

Joyce Thompson, Director, ICM Board of Management

The privilege of working with Petra has been for me one of the best life experiences in midwifery. Petra is such a charming, capable and fun person--if you ever meet up with her, ask her to tell the joke about the rabbit! Above all Petra has been committed to the cause of women and their families as well as the work of midwives. Wherever she goes this commitment will not diminish, only grow and gather strength.

Petra, all the luck and love in the world from me, and thank you for the past years where our team worked to do the best we could for those we have the privilege to care for--women and their families.

Judi Brown, Deputy Director, ICM Board of Management

I am delighted to add the English-speaking European region's voice to Petra's farewell message. Her humour, unpretentious attitude, energy and professionalism have made for an enjoyable working relationship. I greatly admire her inclusive approach to decision-making, and excellent leadership through initiative and a clear vision of midwifery. She has devoted much of her time to supporting regions where there was the greatest need. Petra will be missed for her great sense of fun, but also for her significant achievement in having enhanced midwifery and the ICM profile with influential organisations across the globe. We wish her all the best in future endeavours.

Karlene Davis, Royal College of Midwives, UK;

ICM Vice-president; Regional representative (RR),

Europe

No queremos decirle 'Adios' a Perra, porque sabemos que desde otro u otros lugares seguira trabajando en pro de nuestra profesion, enalteciendola. Para nosotras, sera dificil, saber que no estara en las oficinas de ICM, porque nuestro Colegio obtuvo la membresia con su gestion y nos ha apoyado...