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The Dallas Area Breastfeeding Alliance (DABA) celebrated World Breastfeeding Week on August 4, 2006, by holding an awards luncheon at the Dallas City Hall. This was the third year for DABA to recognize and honor a person or corporation who promotes, supports and protects breastfeeding and breastfeeding women in the Dallas area. Linda Jackson, an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant who works for Methodist Health System, is this year’s president of DABA and presided over the luncheon.
Dallas Mayor Laura Miller presented the keynote address, offering personal stories of her breastfeeding experience and encouraging those who work professionally to support breastfeeding mothers. Also, Mayor Miller presented DABA with a City of Dallas Proclamation declaring August as World Breastfeeding Month. Linda Jackson accepted the Proclamation on behalf of the group.
Esther Phillips, Deputy Regional Administrator for the United States Department of Agriculture in the Southwest Region, attended the luncheon in honor of World Breastfeeding Month and presented DABA with a beautifully framed breastfeeding awareness picture published as part of the WIC breastfeeding promotion program. Ms. Phillips also encouraged DABA to continue their active support of breastfeeding in the Dallas area.
Lauren Publications, Inc., the publishers of Dallas Child Magazine and several other local parenting magazines, was chosen for their consistent support of breastfeeding, not only in their organization, but also through their encouraging articles that promote breastfeeding. This year the theme for World Breastfeeding Week commemorates 25 years of breastfeeding protection and promotion with careful attention to appropriate marketing of breast milk substitutes. Lauren Publications has never accepted any advertising for breast milk substitutes, making it an organization that clearly deserves to be honored this year.
Dallas Symphony Orchestra was honored as an organization that supports their breastfeeding employees and musicians. They are seeking the Mother Friendly Worksite designation that the Texas Department of State Health Services awards to employers who have written policies that support and encourage their employees who want to continue to provide breast milk for their infants after they return to work. Brionna Sargent, a Young Strings Musician with the Dallas Symphony Orchestra, provided live music for the luncheon.
Those attending enjoyed a delicious lunch and beautiful decor provided courtesy of the law firm of Akin, Gump, Strauss, Hauer and Feld. The luncheon was held in the Flag Room on the 6th floor of City Hall overlooking downtown Dallas. |
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