News
Government
Jul. 18, 2002
Breast-Feeding Women Stage 'Nurse-In'
LOS ANGELES - More than 60 mothers openly nursed their babies in the food court of the Santa Monica Place mall yesterday to educate the public on women's often-ignored right to breast-feed in public.
The "Nurse-In" was organized by the California Women's Law Center and the Breast-Feeding Taskforce of Greater Los Angeles in response to a June 14 incident in which a mall security guard approached nursing mother Abbe Dotson and asked her to cover up.
"I was shocked," Dotson said. "I thought at first that he didn't see I was breast-feeding."
Even after she explained herself, the security guard asked Dotson to leave, she said. When Dotson later made several calls to mall personnel to complain, they were unaware of the California Civil Code Section 43.3, which gives women the right to breast-feed in public, she added.
"There's no requirement that you have to cover up or be discreet," said Nancy Solomon, staff attorney at the California Women's Law Center.
Sole practitioner and nursing mother of twins, Diedre Dennis Wachbrit said she hoped the Nurse-In would bolster nursing women.
"Moms that breast-feed in public should feel supported," Wachbrit said.
"We're hoping to raise awareness so that all mothers receive the support they need to breast-feed for at least one year, as recommended by medical associations," said Alexis Neely, general counsel for Breastfeeding Taskforce of Greater Los Angeles.
With the Law Center's help, Dotson's convinced Macerich Co., which owns the mall and 18 other properties in California, to educate all of its employees on breast-feeding rights. Macerich announced yesterday that it would kick off its educational program during World Breastfeeding Week, which is the first week of August.
"You have these great laws that have been passed, but if no one takes the time to enforce them, then they're meaningless," Solomon said.
#337244
Stefanie Knapp
Daily Journal Staff Writer
For reprint rights or to order a copy of your photo:
Email
Jeremy_Ellis@dailyjournal.com
for prices.
Direct dial: 213-229-5424
Send a letter to the editor:
Email: letters@dailyjournal.com