On behalf of Mayor Domenic J. Sarno, Chief of Staff Bill Baker joined today with Shenell R. Ford, Heart2Heartbeat Lactation & Wellness, and the city’s Maternal Child Health Commission (MCHC) to recognize and support National Breastfeeding Month here in Springfield with a flag raising ceremony at City Hall. Ms. Ford read a proclamation signed by Mayor Sarno declaring August as “National Breastfeeding Month” in the City of Springfield.
August is National Breastfeeding Month, with celebrations occurring throughout the month beginning with World Breastfeeding Week (Aug. 1st-7th), Indigenous Milk Medicine Week (Aug. 8th-14th), Asian American Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander Breastfeeding Week (Aug. 15th-21th), Black Breastfeeding Week (Aug.22nd-31st) and Semana de La Lactancia Latina (Setp. 3rd- September 9th).
On Sunday, August 4, 2024 the first Breastfeeding Awareness Walk in Springfield will be held at Blunt Park starting at 11:00 a.m.
Mayor Sarno states, “I commend Ms. Ford – ‘Shenell.’ She has really worked hard to get the word out and to help educate and support others on this very important nurturing mother and child public health aspect. Thanks to her continued leadership advocating for mothers and families, and thanks to the efforts from my first Chief Divers and Inclusion Officer Attorney Talia Gee, city employees now have a dedicated parental leave lactation room right here in City Hall to privately and comfortably attend to their lactation needs. I am proud to continue to support Shenell in raising awareness on this life-giving cause.”
