Posted
by Liz Weslander
July 14, 2004 at 11:06 a.m.
The LAC Breastfeeding Debacle Part II
A few months ago, I wrote [a blog about local woman Amy Swan being scolded by an employee at the Lawrence Athletic Club for nursing her child in the club's nursery][1]. The blog sparked a lively discussion that not only inspired Amy to write local politicians about breastfeeding legislation, but also drove me to do some further reporting on the subject. Read on to learn what the owner of Lawrence Athletic Club himself has to say about this incident. Also, find out the reaction of another local woman who was asked not to breastfeed at the city pool. Finally, find out where local politicians weigh in on the subject of breastfeeding legislation. I tried to write an article for the [Journal-World][2] with this information, however evidently the original blog has me painted into a 'biased' corner, so I'm told I'll have to stick to this forum. This is more fun anyway.LAC Manager Responds Let's start with Lawrence Athletic Club owner Rick Sells. When I talked with him, Sells wanted to make it clear that he does not have a problem with breastfeeding. Some of the employees and members of his club, however, do. Sells said he just tries to accommodate everyone the best he can."Women can nurse wherever they want," he said. "They can walk into the middle of the weight room and nurse, but they may find that some people aren't going to like it. As a business owner with 6,000 people to take care of, I'm caught in the middle."Sells said that the day after the incident involving Amy, he had three parents call him to say they did not want their children in the nursery if women were going to breast feed there. "One father said that he realized that breastfeeding was natural," Sells said "But he pointed out that the most natural act in the world is consensual sex between a man and a woman, and he said that he hoped we didn't let people do that in the nursery either."Sells said that instead of assuming a "poor me" attitude, Amy and other breastfeeding women should be considerate of other people's feelings, and realize that some people don't want to see it. Sells provides a room where mothers can nurse in private at the club. But again, Sells made it clear, "A woman can breast feed in front of everyone if she wants to."I understand that Sells has a business to run and I appreciate that he took the time to talk to me. However, he did not convince me that the way he and his employee treated Amy was justified. If I understood Sells correctly, the breastfeeding policy at LAC is "nurse at your own risk." If a patron or employee at the club spies a mother feeding her child and proceeds to treat her as though she is performing a lewd act, Rick's approach is to tell the mother to be more considerate. As we all have seen, this sort of attitude can be very discouraging to a nursing mother. Not an Isolated Incident Local resident Brenda Frankenfeld had an experience similar to Amy's five years ago at the Lawrence Outdoor Aquatic Center. She was nursing her baby at the side of the pool, while keeping an eye on her seven year-old who was swimming, when a lifeguard told her to either leave or go into the bathroom to nurse. When she talked with a pool's management, he said they did not have a policy against breastfeeding, but said that other pool patrons had complained about the nursing.Frankenfeld stood her ground. She organized a group of women who would go to the pool together and nurse by the side of the pool while they were there."We were very discreet, but we did not go to the bathroom, and nobody ever said anything to us again," Frankenfeld said.Frankenfeld said she took this approach because she believes that nursing should not be a shameful thing, but rather a "natural part of the fabric of our world." She said that nursing is part of what she sees as healthy "family values" because it promotes good nutrition, good body image and means seeing the breast as more than a sexual object."Fatty tissue is fatty tissue," she said. "The more children are exposed to nursing women, the more it contributes to a healthier society."We Gotta Fight for the Right? Frakenfeld's resolve is encouraging and she is lucky that she had a large group of women to call on for support. However, the fact is that incidents like this can discourage women from breastfeeding. When managers kowtow to "nursing complaints," it validates the erroneous notion that nursing is indecent. As I mentioned in my first blog on this subject, 34 states have laws that protect the rights of nursing mothers. Kansas is not one of these states. Aside from trying to prevent situations like the ones that Amy and Brenda experienced, the laws are also meant to inform the public of the merits of breastfeeding and to encourage the incidence and duration of breastfeeding. ([Click here for a summary of the laws][3].) Since my first blog, Amy has written to local legislators Mark Buhler and Barbara Ballard calling for state breastfeeding legislation in Kansas. The legislators' responses to her letter were cautious. Both Buhler and Ballard said they are open to the idea of legislation, but only as a last resort."Disappointed is the best way I can describe how I feel about what happened to Amy," Buhler said. "The issue here is civility. I'm considering it, but I'm not sure the place to solve all problems is in Topeka, Kansas."Ballard said that because this was a local incident, it is an issue best addressed on the local level. "If it seems to be a statewide problem, not confined to places, then it would be our jurisdiction, " she said.If 34 other states think that breastfeeding is important enough to warrant state legislation, I don't see why Kansas should be any different. These laws do not impose anything on anyone, they simply promote and protect the healthy practice of breastfeeding. I just don't see how this could be a bad thing.Lawrence City Commissioner Boog Highberger said he also sees breastfeeding as legitimate state issue. However, he said he would be willing to propose a city ordinance on the subject if citizens approached him with the concern. Currently, city ordinance 14-602 states that exposing your breast in public is a misdemeanor. It might be nice if nursing mothers were officially exempt from that law.Now everybody knows how I feel about the issue of breastfeeding legislation. If you want to let local and state politicians know what YOU think about the issue, here are a few e-mail addresses: boog59@juno.com ballard@house.state.ks.us buhler@senate.state.ks.usThanks for reading. [1]: http://blogs.lawrence.com/gotkids/entries/686/ [2]: http://ljworld.com [3]: http://www.lalecheleague.org/LawBills.html
Comments
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brainfodder (anonymous) says…
I feel sad for the father who complained to LAC. He cannot seem to differentiate between sex and breastfeeding. He is right, that both are natural, but breastfeeding naturally involves a child. Sex doesn't. The man has his child at a child care facility. There is no child care more basic than breastfeeding.
It is also interesting that Mr. Sells, when choosing a group to support in the conflict, chooses the side of those who are doing nothing to help a child's health, rather than the women who are giving their children the best nutrition possible. We see where his priorities lie.
I feel very sorry for the person who approaches my wife and tells her she cannot feed my daughter. She is discreet and private about the feedings, but she does not and should not have to hide in a closet to provide for our child. And I will certainly not sit quietly should someone ask her to.
Tanetti (anonymous) says…
I think it's unfortunate that the man who complained to Sells can't differentiate between "natural acts." We can control our impulse to have sex in public -- well, most of us -- but can an infant control his/her need to be fed whenever and wherever the need strikes? It's too bad the man can't use seeing a woman nursing her baby as an opportunity to educate his child about breastfeeding rather than to pass along outdated notions of a breast's sole purpose (erotic). My baby's due in less than two months and I plan to exclusively nurse, but experiences like these women's make me more anxious than I already am about a difficult, albeit natural, process.
sparkzilla (anonymous) says…
I'm sorry, but many biological labs and hospitals treat and dispose of breast milk as they do all biohazards such as human blood, secretions, or organs. Viruses including HIV have been isolated in human breast milk. I don't want to sit, step, or swim in anyone's urine, semen, menstrual discharge, or breast milk.
mitzibel (Misty Nuckolls) says…
sparkzilla--a woman's breasmilk is more likely to excrete into a pool (honestly, I can't think of any situation where it would be on a seat, or on the ground, so I won't address that) if she has to restrain herself from breastfeeding on the child's demand. And hate to tell you this, but if you're at a pool where children (and inconsiderate adults) swim, you're already swimming around in a lot of pee--that's why they use chlorine. And walking down any alley adjacent to Mass st. is probably going to have you treading through urine, vomit, blood, and who knows what else. Wear shoes.
mitzibel (Misty Nuckolls) says…
Almost off the subject---I'm due in 3 weeks, and have to choose a pediatrician soon. Anyone have any suggestions?? I'd much rather have the input of the sensible mamas who seem to gravitate to this blog (not to mention the author herself) than randomly choose one from the yellow pages. . . .
MayMomma (anonymous) says…
Dr. Beth Rundquist. My husband and I have been thoroughly impressed with her interaction with our baby and with her communication with us. I highly recommend her.
Tanetti (anonymous) says…
I went to Chuck Loveland as a kid (through college, actually) and plan to consider him for this baby. Our insurance (BCBS's HMO) doesn't offer us much in the way of options for a ped.
leslie (Leslie vonHolten) says…
Mitzibel: I will second the Beth Rundquist recommendation. We've been going to her for 5 years now. AND that office is awesome with payment plans, etc., when the finances get bad. They have never breathed down our neck or turned us into a collection agency, which is unusual for a doctor's office. (I think Loveland is in the same office, too)
Also, I don't know what your insurance situation is like or if you are planning on vaccinating, but if you do, the Health Dept. offers vaccinations close to free (vs. about $200 at the dr. office--not an issue if you are insured, but we usually aren't).
Hang in there, gal. I can't imagine being 9 mo. pregnant in this heat...
grilled_cheese (anonymous) says…
I suppose I have two very obvious thoughts when I read both of your articles (which were both well written, btw). The first thought is that no one in their right mind would ask a mother to stop from bottle-feeding her baby in public, so why should she be asked to stop breast-feeding? Rhetorical question, I know, but seriously people... Second thought was spurred from the women asked to sstop breast feeding at the outdoor pool in Lawrence. I go to that pool regularly, and I see a greater percentage of breast from young teenage girls flaunting themselves in itsy-bitsy bikinis than I do when I see a mother breast feed. I don't see lifeguards accosting 14-year-olds about covering up their hugely exposed, underage, in-your-face cleavage. And I guarantee those school-aged girls are not trying to be discreet or motherly.
liz (Liz Weslander) says…
Although Mitzibel covered it pretty well, I have to respond to Sparkzilla. Kind of funny that this biohazard you call breastmilk is going straight into babies' mouths (not in the pool or otherwise) and none of them seem to be adversely affected by it. As for HIV, they test all mothers for this in the modern world and most women who are positive are discouraged from breastfeeding. So I'd have to say tht the chances of contracting HIV from breastmilk in the pool is pretty slim.
Mitzibel, Lawrence Pediatrics, who house all the doctors mentioned, is great at getting you in quickly. We go to VanGarsse there and she is pretty good. Rundquist sounds better though!
leslie (Leslie vonHolten) says…
I think it needs to be repeated that the "room" Amy Swann was told to nurse in was the bathroom. Rick Sells is a pig.
And what the hell did Buhler and Ballard get elected for? The last I checked, women had breasts and babies all over the state of Kansas, so the "local issue" excuse is lazy. I guess they'd rather spend their time pandering to the insurance companies (keep in mind that in Kansas, insurance companies are not required to cover pregnancy, and most insurance plans carry a $150/month rider for coverage).
liz (Liz Weslander) says…
I love it when people get surly!
I don't particularly enjoy defending him, but this "room" issue came up a lot when I interviewed Rick and he even invited me to come down and check out the nursing room at the club. I never took him up on the invitation, but apparently it is a nice comfy room. However, you are right that the bathroom was one of the choices he offered Amy. And yeah, waffling and buck-passing in legislators does not impress me either.
For anyone new to the blog world, please ignore sofresh as his/her comments are fictitious and insincere.
murderama (Rob Gillaspie) says…
Shit like this happens and people wonder why I think Lawrence is backwards. Glad to see this comment board isn't full of idiots that think breastfeeding should be kept a dirty secret. I've never understood where that school of thought originated... Gotta agree with Grilled Cheese here: how are half naked teenage girls more acceptable than a woman feeding her kid? Priorities need to be straightened out here...
And Sparkzilla? Lots of piss in the public pool, and you KNOW those lifeguards are screwing there after hours... I think breast milk is the least of your contamination concerns.
the_devil (anonymous) says…
If only one could so easily ignore your self righteous drivel...
the_devil (anonymous) says…
Silence!
lazz (anonymous) says…
rick sells is a pig?
liz sees reason to stand up for him but doesn't like doing it?
get over yourselves.
the breast-feeding issue is real, but it doesn't give you license to be jerks.
it's a big world. try and make room.
kay (anonymous) says…
Mitzibel: we go to Dr. Anne VanGarse and adore her. I love the fact that she treats my boys like they are real people rather than talk over their heads like they are invisible. All of the doctors mentioned above are at Lawrence Pediatrics along with Dr. Kelley who I have also heard wonderful things about. Good luck!
Oh, and anytime you turn on the TV you are exposed to far more booby than what you would see from a nursing mom...i wonder if the dad who complained is as vigilant with his son's TV viewing? those commercials are sneaky...
pistachio (anonymous) says…
Rick Sells is not a jerk. He is a business owner who was placed in an awkward position by his overly-sensitive customers. Amy lost this one because she was one lonely breastfeeder vs. 3 pushy people. The complainers should be blamed here, not Sells. Anyone who is "outraged" to find a woman tending to her infant in a nursery is crazy. But what would you do if 3 of your customers complained about the behavior of one customer? Chastize them on their narrow, unenlightened views of child rearing and sexuality? Or just bite the bullet and ask the mother to relocate the offending breast? One of these days, people will learn that breastfeeding is not the same as "Girls Gone Wild". Until then, just keep some good one-liners on hand for the people who feel the need to comment on your sinful breast-flashing.
leslie (Leslie vonHolten) says…
I generally refrain from name-calling, as I know it isn't constructive even in this case. But Rick Sells not only refused to defend Swann's actions, he humiliated her. Does being a business owner exempt one from standing for principles? I say no. And I also say, again, that Rick Sells is a pig.
JHawker (anonymous) says…
i agree with leslie, Rick Sells is a pig. He was a pig 5 years ago when he fired an employee in the nursery for no good reason other then his selfishness, and he is a pig today for humiliating amy and other women in her situation. I wonder if he humiliated his wife when she had their daughter a couple years back - did she want to breastfeed? I hope more women take the natural and healthy road and decide to breastfeed their children as i will when i someday have children of my own.
oh yeah, and anyone who has ever been to LAC could agree with me that there are way too many tight and cleavage showing/outlining exercise tops and short and tight spandex shorts there. Anyone who is mildly offended by a woman breastfeeding should be utterly outraged by these revealing outfits.
Robert_Everett (anonymous) says…
Greetings, everyone.
Yesterday when I went to check my e-mail, I was directed to the sign in page for the address savebingo@hotmail.com. I asked my wife, who is known here as sofresh, about it and she showed me this page. What I'm about to share here is extremely personal and difficult, but I feel as though you all deserve some sort of explanation. Before I continue, just let me apologize that she has disrupted your community.
Three years ago, my wife suffered an unfortunate trauma that resulted in a break from reality. Her illness manifests itself in various delusions of persecution, so it should probably go without saying that Dianne has never met any of you. Further, we have never had a dog named bingo, and we do not and probably never will have kids. In spite of her illness, Dianne is a very loving wife who has brought me a lot of happiness and I feel quite blessed to have her. Most of you seem like good people who will understand that she is a sick person, not a bad one. I will monitor Dianne's medication more closely in cooperation with her doctor and try to do something with the parental controls on our computer so that she can't do this kind of thing again.
Again, sorry about this. You will all be in our thoughts and prayers.
Robert Everett
thetowles (anonymous) says…
Regarding Breastfeeding:
In a society where we are continually bombarded with all sorts of crudeness, vulgarity, violence and inappropriateness through the media - at work - in school - in public ... it's a hypocritical shame that people find offense in the natural act of feeding a child. I would rather my children view the intended function of a female mammory gland in action than watching commercials on Nickelodeon!
Breastfeeding was considered as NORMAL as breathing until the early 20th century when pasturization and prudeness became commonplace. Our societial views about breastfeeding being inappropriate are brand-new in the history of mankind. Why is this?
It's odd how we talk out of both ends... we are entertained by situational comedy about orgasim, secretly check out readily available internet porn when no one is looking, are drawn to news about war and death, poison our bodies with burbon and big Macs, spit on the sidewalk and wear clothes that show butt cracks and boob skin - but we are terribly offended and vocal about a woman gently and lovingly nourishing her child in public with a perfect, whole food that contains more nourishment and protection for a growing human than any formula or animal milk could provide. And remember - babies need to be feed every few hours - regardless of where a woman is.
I think that, as in most cases, the underlying issue here is fear and lack of education. I challenge those of you who are anti-public-breastfeeding to make a concerted effort to get online and do some research about breastfeeding.
Thank you.
momof3 (anonymous) says…
After reading the article and the posted comments, I felt compelled to stand up for the business owners. There are many businesses who would ask a breast feeding mother to be more discreet, if other customers asked. Many people did not grow up in a society where breast feeding was acceptable, let alone in public. And put the shoe on the other foot....what if you were a parent of a child watching a mother breastfeed. How do you explain that to a child? And you don't get the choice of explaining it when you decide to. It is not comfortable for some people, no matter how discreet you are. Yes, breast feeding is natural, and it is good for baby, but that does not mean it has to happen in public. If there is a lactation room, please use it. They thought enough to make one. Think of more than just yourselves.
And, we used to go to Rundquist for 13 years. But then she decided not to accept our health insurance , but not tell anyone of her decision. Many of her patients were left out in the cold. So we were forced to switch doctors. We are happy with our decision because we no longer have to wait hours to see a doctor.
kay (anonymous) says…
thetowels: right on.
mom of 3: as a parent of a child who was watching a mom breastfeed you would explain that the baby is nursing. Mommys make milk in their breasts to feed their babies. the milk makes them healthy and happy. Then you could either add one of two things 1.)when you were a baby you enjoyed nursing, or 2.) another way to feed a baby is with milk in a bottle and that is how I chose to feed you. Ta Da! problem solved. I have found that sometimes the best time to explain things or to teach my children is when the subject comes up naturally.
i wanted to say more here but i find i am repeating the well-written comments of thetowels. so i will just encourage you to see above statements.
marriedkiddo (anonymous) says…
To: The Towels - AMEN! You couldn't have said it any better. Why hide the fact that the Mother is nursing? It is not a bad thing.
I am glad to see this issue come to light again...and again and again, if needed. I breastfed my daughter in all sorts of public places and has no problem whatsoever, with looks or comments...but we did not live in kansas then. i am now due with our second daughter and will nurse her in Kansas (we just moved here) and hopefully without approach from feeble-minded individuals that don't understand that this is a natural part of life. Like most other nursing mothers, I don't want to be stared or gawked at...breastfeeding is not a sexual thing and should not be treated as such. Such a shame that we can bare a nipple on a bottle with formula in it, but when we try to give our child a natural food rather than a manufactured one from a can that we would get shamed for it.
Has anyone thought about starting a group for this matter?
I am also a student (this summer) and have to write a research paper on a local topic. I chose this topic based on the original blog and was surprised to see it rise again. Thanksfully so, though, as this is obviously a local issue that needs to be addressed.
Hats off to all of the breastfeeding women who stand their ground. Breastfeeding is a right. Let's hope that the politicians of Kansas notice this, too.
liz (Liz Weslander) says…
Lazz, I defended Rick on this room point simply because it is one part of the issue that is a little grey. However, the way this situation was handled was offensive and I don't think I'm a jerk for saying so. Rick insists he thinks breastfeeding is a good thing, yet he employs someone who made a woman cry because she was breastfeeding her child. If I (who like Rick thinks breastfeeding is a good thing) had an employee or customers who were offending by breastfeeding, I would talk to them about it, not validate their reservations by insinuating that public breastfeeding is inconsiderate. There was a compromise somewhere in that situation, as well as an opportunity for education. I think Rick blew it by chosing the dollar instead of integrity.
In his defense, I will say that I think Rick's actions are symptomatic of larger societal issues. It's probably hard for a man to say to one of his buddies, "hey, breastfeeding is a good thing and you really shouldn't give people shit about it,and it won't hurt your kids to see it." I go back to the laws I keep harping about. A law would have made it much easier for Rick to say "The state thinks that breastfeeding is an important and decent act, and the law says women have the right to do it in public. Let's follow the law and leave nursing women alone."
And to the camp that insist that mothers who nurse in public are only thinking of themselves, my question is who exactly are these people who are getting so offended by breastfeeding thinking of? Most mothers who breastfeed are thinking of their hungry baby. Perhaps those who are offended by breastfeeding could shift their attention to the healthy, satisfied child as well.
marriedkiddo (anonymous) says…
Is there a from letter that could be circulated to send to the politicians? I have already sent my comments to the email addresses given, but am thinking of those that feel this issue is important, yet don't know what to say to a politician. Is anyone willing to write such a thing? If so, please post. I will refer as many as I know to email about this...it needs attention.
mitzibel (Misty Nuckolls) says…
Thank you to everyone who chimed in with pediactrician reccommendations. I really do appreciate it; I've had horrible experiences with doctors when I go in blind.
mitzibel (Misty Nuckolls) says…
And I wanted to apologize to Dianne and Robert for anything I said to/about sofresh. We get a lot of hooliganry on these boards, and I was replying with the thought that it was just someone juvenile screwing around; my replies were juvenile and screwy in the same spirit. I'm sorry if I said anything that excaberated the situation, and I wish the both of you the best of luck in dealing with this.
marriedkiddo (anonymous) says…
FYI: Ballard@house.state.ks.us - the email address given in the article has come back to me unknown.
liz (Liz Weslander) says…
did you capitalize "ballard"? It is lower case in the address.
liz (Liz Weslander) says…
Marriedkiddo, I have an idea, you write the letter!:) I know some contacts who can help circulate it. One frustrating aspect to this is that LaLecheLeague and the local Breastfeeding Action Coalition are strictly apolitical groups. I'm not sure why they have this policy, but it does mean that individuals are going to have to do the work.
pistachio (anonymous) says…
marriedkiddo:
State employee email addresses usually contain the person's first initial. Her address is probably ballardb@house.state.ks.us. Good luck.
amylou (anonymous) says…
Barbara Ballard's e-mail is ballard@house.state.ks.us and Mark Buhler's is Buhler@senate.state.ks.us. Please e-mail them as well as our Lawrence commissioner, Boog Highberger. I will be talking with him hopefully tomorrow. If we can't do anything at the state level, we can at least try for something locally and set an example for the rest of Kansas. Thanks!
marriedkiddo (anonymous) says…
Amylou (& others),
Just received an email reply from Boog Highberger. First of all, I was impressed that he responded so quickly, as my experience is that many politicians do not.
Second, he stated "I know that some states have addressed the issue of the right to breastfeed, but Kansas has not. It is my understanding that Texas has adopted a law that states simply, "A mother has a right to breastfeed her baby in any place that the mother has a right to be." If you have been prohibited from breastfeeding in any place that you have the right to
be, please let me know. I am willing to introduce a city ordinance similar to the Texas statute is necessary".
Maybe you are right, maybe Lawrence can be the example for KS!
liz (Liz Weslander) says…
As far as the e-mail addresses go, the way I have them written in the blog, matches what is on their websites. The names are not capatilized in either of them and there are no first initials in them, let me know if this is worng so I can change them. Thanks!
MAMAT (anonymous) says…
Just FYI, Boog is a good guy. Whether you agree with him or not on everything, his heart is in the right place. He is tries to weigh all sides of a debate, fairly, and find out as much as he can BEFORE he makes up his mind on things! He just attended a women's Conference (I put him up to it) and I know he tries hard to do "the right thing". He's not a normal "Politician"!! Thank God!
MAMAT (anonymous) says…
Oh, and on the comments about business owner's rights to please most of their customers, versus "do the right thing".... I have mixed emotions. I breast fed (as I've said) exclusively - for 18 months - my only child. That was 26 years ago. So I am a HUGE supporter of feeding children that way! I am also very leery of trying to pass laws to regulate every aspect of civility in life. It rarely has worked (take a look at the civil rights law, and try being black for awhile, if you think outlawing bad behaviors changes attitudes). BUT - just as with the civil rights law, there are times/situations where the rights of a business owner must bow to public policy - e.g. It used to be perfectly fine to refuse to serve blacks, or allow women your club, if the rest of your customers wanted to keep the place all white or all male. SO the customary commercial necessity defense does, in some instances, become outmoded when the behavior is made illegal. BUT only when the majority (through their elected officials) agree to change public policy can that happen. Thus, unless/until you persuade a majority of voters that nursing in public should be made a legal right, it will remain a privilege and a personal choice behavior that may (or may not) be tolerated by others, including business owners. Public civility really is hard to legislate! (Just look at the uproar over the smoking ban for an example!). Don't let it stop you. Just as I didn't let it stop me 26 years ago! Happy nursing. AND thanks for giving Misty the heads up on her babe's doctor. (Interesting that even on THAT topic there is dissent - just goes to show you, viva la difference!).
amylou (anonymous) says…
It's funny how Rick Sells says "A woman can breastfeed in front on everyone if she wants to" yet his employee specifically said to me "i do not want you breastfeeding in here". It's also funny how he keeps talking about his "nursing room" that's available when it consisted of a blow up bean bag the day I saw it. I want to make it clear that the room was not set up as a nursing room when it was given to me as an option. Anyways...Boog called me back today (less than 24hours after I called I might add) and he told me he is going to start working TODAY on getting a local ordinance passed. He did say it would help if he could get some more calls or e-mails from supporters so please e-mail him specifically with your support (BOOG59@juno.com). I also am going to be contacting Le Leche and some other people that are influential in the Lawrence community that are knowledgeable about the benefits of breastfeeding. Also, he said he would like to hear about anyone else who has EVER experienced anything similar to this in Lawrence. That would definitely help too. What a great guy, I was impressed! Let's keep it up ladies! We're getting closer!
amylou (anonymous) says…
Sorry, that's boog59@juno.com.
marriedkiddo (anonymous) says…
Me again.
Finishing up my research paper on Breastfeeding Mothers being discriminated against in Lawrence.
If anyone wants to (PLEASE) give me a quote to use as a source (how you feel about this or how you have been discriminated against), please email me. I will need your name to cite in my paper, too. I won't be hounding you with calls, an email quote is fine, just please make sure it is credible.
My professor was shocked to know that this is not just an isolated case in Lawrence, where he said "Lawrence is one of the most liberal places around." (Prof is from Overland Park).
This blog is raising awareness all over. Good for you, Liz, for making us aware and stirring things up!
My email address is manateerealtor@yahoo.com - would love to have other sources of info that you might think I should investigate, too, as I am not finding a lot (has to be on a local source) but I refused to give up this topic as I think it is one that needs attention in the classroom, too.
If you reply, please do so by SUNDAY, the 25th, at the latest.
Thanks, Ladies...and keep nourishing your child the natural way!
liz (Liz Weslander) says…
update: Dave Corliss is working on a draft of a breastfeeding resolution that will go on the City Commission's agenda some time in August. Boog has said that they are actually basing the statute on the one apdopted by the state of Texas. George Bush signed this one when he was governor, it shouldn't be too radical for the people of Lawrence. Apparenly, Sue Hack and David Schauner are the commissioners who have reservations about this resolution, so direct some comments to them if you're so inclined.
Also, in doing a little research for an article that I hope to write for Mothering Magazine about this incident, I found that Colorado and Oklahoma passed breastfeeding legislation this year, making us now only one of 14 without legislation. I'm probably going to do a short blog next week to update all this, so sorry if I repeat some of this info there.
marriedkiddo (anonymous) says…
Liz (& all) -
Do you have Hack & Schauner's email addresses? I am sure we could all drop them a line...
Thanks.
lolo (anonymous) says…
I'm so proud of Amy Swan for taking a stand and doing something about this issue. It is really quite silly that there isn't something in the law that protects mothers like her and I'm so glad she and others are being the leaders to change that. God Bless you, Amy, and good luck. We are all here to support you!
liz (Liz Weslander) says…
suehack@sunflower.com
dschauner@sunflower.com