Physical Description

A cut-out wreath, constructed of silver and silver gilt. The silver wreath is made up of laurel on the left and oak leaves on the right. In the centre is the silver coat of arms of Schwarzburg, with a crown on top that is superimposed on the wreath. At the bottom is a golden ribbon with the inscription ‘FÜR TREUE I. BERUF’ (‘for loyalty in work’) The reverse features a horizontal pinback.

History

The Long Service Decoration for Midwives was introduced on April 2, 1908 by Prince Karl Günther of Schwarzburg-Sondershausen. The decoration was conferred upon midwives who had rendered at least 30 years of irreproachable service within the field. Prince Karl Günther’s wife, Princess Marie, was responsible for deciding who received the award.

Recipients received a silver brooch that was modelled after a similar award that was instituted in Prussia. The brooch was conferred upon 23 recipients.