Happy La Leche League International Week!
July 18th, 2007
We are thrilled to announce that Chicago Community Midwives’ advocacy efforts have paid off and in response to our request, Governor Blagojevich has issued a Proclamation honoring the Founders of La Leche League and declaring July 16-23rd La Leche League International Week! Congratulations La Leche League and congratualtions to each and every one of the incredible women who founded La Leche League 50 years ago.
CCM and La Leche League’s Gala to Honor the Founders was an incredible success and we would like to thank everyone who came together to share in this wonderful event!
Here is the text of the Governor’s Proclamation:
WHEREAS, La Leche League International, a nonprofit
organization dedicated to the promotion and support of breastfeeding
and recognized as a world authority on breastfeeding, is celebrating its 50th Anniversary;
WHEREAS, La Leche League International, founded and
incorporated in the state of Illinois, has spread to all 50 states and has a presence in over 75 other countries worldwide;
WHEREAS, The health and well being of mothers and babies in
Illinois have been greatly improved because of the efforts of La Leche League International for the past 50 years;
WHEREAS, Six of the organization’s seven Founders are
life long residents of Illinois: Marian Tompson, Mary White, Viola
Lennon, Edwina Froehlich, Mary Ann Cahill, and Betty Wagner Spandikow;
WHEREAS, Breastfeeding has been endorsed worldwide by health
professional organizations, governmental health ministries and departments and international agencies as the optimal infant feeding method;
WHEREAS, The LLLI Founders and La Leche League International are deserving of recognition for their dedication and achievements in educating and supporting parents and professionals in every aspect of breastfeeding;
WHEREAS, The La Leche League International 50th Anniversary will be celebrated at a number of events in Chicago during the month of July, 2007;
THEREFORE, I, Rod R. Blagojevich, Governor of the State of Illinois, do hereby proclaim
July 16 to 23 as La Leche League International Week in Illinois in recognition of the seven LLLI Founders -Mary White, Marian Tompson, Edwina Froehlich, Viola Lennon, Betty Wagner Spandikow, Mary Ann Cahill, and Mary Ann Kerwin, for 50 years of dedicated service to mothers and babies.
So go on out there and celebrate La Leche League International Week! Attend the LLLI 50th Anniversary Conference taking place this week here in Chicago. Make an automatic monthly donation to Chicago Community Midwives to support local gentle birth and breastfeeding education and advocacy. And nurse your baby in public! What better way to celebrate the incredible benefits of breastfeeding for baby, for mama and for the health and well-being of us all.
Happy La Leche League International Week, Everyone!
Entry Filed under: Events