City of Springfield Holds Flag Raising Ceremony for National Breastfeeding Month

08/01/2022 |  City News

Mayor Domenic J. Sarno, Health and Human Services Commissioner Helen Caulton-Harris, Attorney Talia Gee and Chief Diversity and Inclusion Officer Judi Crowell joined with Shenell R. Ford, the Heart2Heartbeat Lactation & Wellness, Breastfeeding Community Action Circle, and Baystate Health to recognize and support National Breastfeeding Month with a flag raising ceremony on the front steps of City Hall.

Also in attendance was Ayanna Crawford representing state Representative Orlando Ramos, Dr. Andrew Balder and Baystate Health Community Liaison and Outreach Specialist and longtime community activist Mable Sharif.   

August is National Breastfeeding Month, with celebrations occurring throughout the month beginning with World Breastfeeding Week (Aug. 1^st-7^th), Native and Indigenous Breastfeeding Week (Aug. 8^th-14^th), Asian American Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander Breastfeeding Week (Aug. 15^th-21th), and Black Breastfeeding Week (Aug.22^nd-31^st).  As part of the ceremony, Mayor Sarno issued a proclamation declaring the month of August as ‘National Breastfeeding Month’ in the city of Springfield. 

Mayor Sarno states, “I commend Ms. Ford – ‘Shenell.’ This young lady 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 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.”