have rallies, not nurse-ins
I just wanted to let you know about something to consider. Its my duty to disseminate this idea to you all- I promised the writer, Elizabeth Baldwin, that I would communicate this to all moms that are planning nurse-ins, when I heard about them.
Elizabeth Baldwin was LLL's attorney, and was very well-respected in the bfing community. She was a pioneer in bfing and the law - she died about 2 years ago, of colon cancer.
This is what she posted on Lactnet, the list for lactation professionals, and what she asked me to disseminate.
Date: Fri, 4 Oct 2002 10:47:52 -0400
From: "Elizabeth N. Baldwin" <baldwin@LAWBF.COM>
Subject: From Liz B - REALLY IMP - Problem with nurse-IN
> THere is going to be a nurse-in at the Library on Saturday at 4pm, in
> the lobby or outside by the Lions if for some reason the library refuses
> admission to moms and babes who show up.
THIS IS NOT A GOOD IDEA. Nurse-ins are protests - they create bad press
publicity - and portray breastfeeding mothers as zealots to be avoided. NY
has the STRONGEST law in the nation - a nurse-in is NOT the way to educate
about it, enforce it, or get the library to change their position. However,
rallies are fine - they are NOT demonstrations, not hostile, but instead
give information, have speakers, and educate. Rather than do a nurse-in, why
not talk to the library about doing some education of their staff, or doing
a rally there to educate everyone about the law and the importance of
breastfeeding?
Why alienate the library? Why not work with them? Why not use the great law
that NY has to our benefit? By the way, NY's law came into effect because of
a RALLY (NOT a nurse-in) held at the mall where the mother was told to go to
a bathroom - they had speakers, it was very successful, and resulted in
really positive press coverage that helped NY to pass this great law.
Please, people, discourage nurse-ins, and help people educate through
rallies.
Elizabeth N. Baldwin, Esq.
2020 N.E. 163rd Street, Suite 300
North Miami Beach, Fla. 33162
305-944-9100
www.lalecheleague.org/LawMain.htmlwww.compromisesolutions.com
Me again. its too late to change the name of the event from "nurse-in" to "rally" - but I suppose you could use that word in your interviews. This is just her opinion, but I can see her point. I think the less you talk about any negative bfing incident itself (that may have sparked the need for a nurse-in, but speak about the issue in general, the better response you will have, and the more respect you will get. And after all, we need the larger population to reflect on what the issues at hand, and to be responsible for what affect that *they*may have on new moms trying to decide whether to continue bfing. Take the power back from negative incident - it was/is really only important in that they've given you moms the opportunity to have your voice heard. Be positive and strong, not whiny and angry. Remember - bfing is increasing - the truth will come out - we are just on the beginning edge of social change.
This is just another POV - you'll need to figure it out for yourself what works for you and the situationyou are facing.
And Elizabeth was much older than many women who are bfing today. I do see, and think that a younger generation of bfing women may approach bfing advocacy and their bfing rights, differently that women of a previous generation. And I think its okay if different people approach advocacy differently - its all important, and helpful.
(BTW, re:New York library event that was refered to. IIRC, the mom involved was a lawyer, but she herself didn't really want the nurse-in to happen, it was organized in a hurry,through the internet, by someone else. (that's what I've been told)
Janice
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: I am glad to know, that generally speaking, it sounds like most folks in the senate and house are being reasonable about the issue. I don't usually agree with the majority of them, but I have to give credit where credit is due. Thanks to you and the other moms who made the last event happen.
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