Nurse-in at Hirshhorn on 2/12 from 10-12

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02/03/2011 13:41

Subject: Nurse-in at Hirshhorn on 2/12 from 10-12

zwschen@yahoo.com
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Joined: 02/03/2011 13:29
Messages: 8
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Hi Moms,

A fellow MOMS Club of Rockville-South friend is organizing a nurse-in on 2/12 from 10-12. Here's her email below.

Thanks,
Susan Read

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Please join us for a nurse-in at the Hirshhorn Museum on Saturday, February 12, 2011 from 10am to noon to raise awareness and show your support of DC’s Child’s Right to Nurse Law, nursing in public (NIP) and my friend, Nori.

Nori and her husband and children were at the Hirshhorn on Sunday, January 30th when she was told she could only breastfeed in the restroom. Here’s her story:

I was trying to nurse my daughter in the lower floor at the Hirshhorn Museum. We were quietly on a bench near the escalator, and just a few people were around us. Less than a minute after I began nursing, a security guard rushed over to us and told me that I should nurse her in the restroom. I checked the restroom and couldn't find any chairs. So, I returned to the bench and explained that to the guard when he came again. The guard then suggested I sit on the toilet if I couldn't find a chair. I moved to another bench and then another – bigger, muscular -- security guard came over and said, "Mom, you cannot do that." We simply left. -- Norika Aita.

Nori was within her right to nurse outside of the restroom as DC’s Child’s Right to Nurse Law states that, “A woman shall have the right to breastfeed her child in any location, public or private, where she has the right to be with her child, without respect to whether the mother's breast or any part of it is uncovered during or incidental to the breastfeeding of her child.” D.C. Ann. Code § 2-1402.82(c)(1)

Nori’s experience was a wake up call to me. That this could happen in DC (where our First Lady and “Mom in Chief” is working hard to encourage breastfeeding), at the Smithsonian (which is synonomous with education) and in an art museum (where breasts and nipples and even the act of breastfeeding are often the subject of sculptures and paintings) clearly means we have more work to do. Education and awareness is needed. With that in mind, we are inviting the Hirshhorn and the Smithsonian to join us in showing their support as well.

Obviously, we want our message to be heard, and we want those around to be receptive. A nurse-in at an art gallery where people come to quietly contemplate the exhibits could be tricky, but it does not have to be disruptive – for the act of breastfeeding is not disruptive. Our vision is to be a peaceful, calm presence, to educate and raise awareness while respecting the rights of those who come there to enjoy the exhibits, as Nori had expected and deserved when she visited the museum.

The fact that February 12th is Lincoln’s birthday is not lost on us. As my husband pointed out, what better day to stand up for human rights than on Lincoln’s birthday. So, please join us -- whether you are breastfeeding or not, whether you are a mom or not!

HELP US GET THE WORD OUT BY FORWARDING THIS MESSAGE to others who might be interested, posting it on bulletin boards, Facebook, etc.. If we are fortunate enough to have more people in attendance than can be accommodated at the Hirshhorn, some can go in groups to the Smithsonian Castle or other museums -- as it will be too cold to congregate outside for any length of time.

Please contact me with questions.

Hope to see you there!
LJ Pelham
ellejaef@yahoo.com

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