Newsletter December 23, 2003

Happy Holidays to all of you!

Breastfeeding Task Force of Greater Los Angeles celebrates its 10^th Anniversary on January 7, 2004

Wow! Can you believe that the Task Force is 10 years old!  Please celebrate with us!  Come, get involved, we need your participation!

Breastfeeding Task Force of Greater Los Angeles celebrates its 10th Anniversary!

Anniversary Celebration: January 7, 2004. Join current and founding members of the Task Force for this special event.

Quarterly General Breastfeeding Task Force Meeting: 10th Anniversary Celebration
Date: Wednesday, January 7, 2004 from 11 am - 2 pm
Location: REI-WIC at 2930 Imperial Highway, Inglewood, CA
Hostess:  Deborah Myers Dmyers@slahp.org

History

The Task Force was formed in 1994 by a group of dedicated volunteers who wanted to make a difference in the breastfeeding rates in Los Angeles County.

• In July 1994, Task Force members published an article on breastfeeding in the Los Angeles County Medical Association magazine (The Real Thing, LACMA Physician, July 11, 1994).

• In August 1994, Fact Sheets about breastfeeding and the risks of infant formula were researched and published and decals stating "Breastfeeding Welcome Here" were printed and distributed to local businesses.

• In August 1995, the Task Force hosted a World Walk for Breastfeeding in Griffith Park. This event was a collaboration of public health agencies, WIC programs, mother to mother support groups, and breastfeeding advocates from the entire county. Guest speakers included actress Lynn Redgrave, attorney Gloria Allred, California Assembly Representatives Antonio Villaraigosa and Sheila Khuel, and Dr. Paul Fleiss.

• In 1996, the Task Force published posters with an endorsement by Olympic Volleyball Gold Medalist, Kent Steffes, proclaiming "Breastfeeding - As Good As Gold." A Breastfeeding Resource Directory is published annually by the Task Force and print demand has increased from 10,000 in 1996 to 50,000 in 2003.

• Task Force Lactation Professional Education Seminars have trained 2500 participants since 1998. The Breastfeeding Task Force website was launched in 1998 currently averages 30,000 hits and 6,000 visitors per month.

• The Task Force incorporated as a not-for-profit 501(c)3 corporation in September of 2001. The Breastfeeding Works Pilot was developed in 2002 to assist employers in supporting their breastfeeding employees.

• The Task Force conducted Strategic Planning and joined the National Breastfeeding Awareness Campaign in 2002.

• Task Force was selected to be one of 18 Community Demonstration Projects by the National Breastfeeding Media Campaign of the Office of Women's Health, Health and Human Services.

• The Task Force has also been awarded grants from First Five and The California Endowment to further the mission of making breastfeeding the norm in Los Angeles.

******** Meeting Agenda *********

General Task Force Meeting on January 7, 2004 from 11:00 am to 2:00 pm

• Celebrate 10 year Anniversary
• Laurie Haessly, IBCLC: Riverside and Update on the Physician's Office Breastfeeding Promotion Project
• Update on Task Force activities and grants
• Committee breakouts

We will have a cake, bring your own lunch.  Hope to see you then!

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