Productive Advocacy
Let’s talk about advocacy. The dictionary defines this as “public support for or recommendation of a particular cause or policy”. Ruth Bader Ginsburg wisely advised
“ Fight for the things you care about. But do it in a way that will lead others to join you.”
For this reason, our advocacy is an expansive group effort. We engage with family agencies, employers, health care providers, legislators and parents. For example:
• We advocated for Maine Paid Family Leave as part of a coalition of several organizations. All people in Maine benefit from Paid leave, infants through to elder care.
• We collaborated with Let’s Go to create a Tool Kit for Employees Returning to Work to advocate for their rights in the workplace and are almost ready to release one for employers, too! This will clarify the benefits of supporting lactation in the workplace and explain the guidelines of state and federal laws like the PUMP Act.
This August is World Breastfeeding Week and National Breastfeeding Month. We are promoting local and international groups, always with the same goal: To improve support for breastfeeding and the access to human breast milk.
These three weeks center on specific cultural support.
August 8- 14 Indigenous Milk Medicine Week
August 15 - 22 Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander Breastfeeding Week.
August 26-31 Black Breastfeeding Week
Access to breastfeeding and human milk for all babies is a positive mission. Join us, or any of these organizations, in advocating for a healthier world.
The MSBC’s Advocacy Committee is looking for new members! Let us know if you’d like to join. Contact us at info@mainebreastfeeds.org.
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