PUBLIC INVITED TO SHOW THEIR SUPPORT

HARRISBURG, APRIL 21 – State Sen. Connie Williams is celebrating Mother’s Day in a big way this year – she is inviting her constituents to attend a rally to raise awareness and to educate the community about the many health benefits of breastfeeding.

“Breastfeeding is a natural, healthy way to feed babies,” Williams said. “Research supports the value of breastfeeding – for the baby, for the mother and for our society. In babies, breastfeeding supports optimal development and protects against acute and chronic illness. It helps mothers recover from pregnancy and childbirth. And it provides a wide range of economic and environmental rewards to society.”

“In today’s fast-paced society, when many women return to work soon after their baby is born, it is important that we continue to raise awareness to breastfeeding as an option that remains available,” Williams said. “Sometimes this means accommodations in the workplace, but the value of breastfeeding far outweighs any minor inconvenience.”

In celebration of Mother’s Day, Williams will hold a rally to raise awareness of the value of breastfeeding at 11 a.m. Friday, May 12th on the Doreen Thornbury O’Donnell Memorial Playground located at the Upper Merion Township Building Park, 175 W. Valley Forge Rd., King of Prussia. Anyone who currently breastfeeds her children, has breastfed her children in the past, or just supports breastfeeding as a valuable option for parents to use to feed babies, is invited to attend the rally.

“I hope moms will bring their children, spouses and significant others, grandparents and friends to this rally,” Williams said. “Come out for a fun day in a beautiful park and at the same time get the message out about your support for ensuring every mother has the option of breastfeeding.”

In the event of rain, the event will be held inside the Upper Merion Township Building.

Williams has introduced a package of bills to protect and support breastfeeding mothers and to help businesses to support them.

Her bills would:
 

  1. Protect the right of a mother to breastfeed her child in a public or private location where they are otherwise authorized to be present. Clarify that the act of breastfeeding may not be considered a public nuisance, indecent exposure or obscene or sexual conduct. Would ensure that local governments cannot prohibit breastfeeding in public by local ordinance. (S.B. 951)

  2. Amend the Pennsylvania Human Relations Act to ensure that a breastfeeding mother cannot be fired or discriminated against in the workplace for breastfeeding or expressing milk during lunches or breaks. (S.B. 952)

  3. Amend the Tax Code to offer tax credits to businesses that support breastfeeding mothers by establishing lactation programs. The tax credits would be for the costs associated with establishing a clean, private environment for women to pump, purchasing or renting equipment, hiring a lactation consultant, or otherwise promoting a lactation-friendly work environment. (S.B. 953)

 “It is important to talk about breastfeeding and to remove the barriers that prevent many women from choosing the option of breastfeeding,” Williams said.

 For more information on the rally or the Senator’s legislation, please contact Angela Fitterer at afitterer@pasenate.com or 717-705-6339.