It's still shocking to me each time a story like this crops up: A couple of days ago in Albany, the Kelly family was visiting the New York State Museum with their three young children, age 5, 3 and 4 months. While breastfeeding the youngest, Kristen Kelly was approached by a museum employee and told to move to the washroom or leave.
Nice. Everyone loves feeding a baby in the crapper. Oh sure, the have a chair in the wc but that's not the point. Why was she asked to stop breastfeeding and to move to the loo (twice)? Why was she made to feel like she was doing something "wrong"?
The museum stance to the media is there is "no such policy prohibiting breast feeding anywhere". Yet when the husband called to complain, he was told by a museum spokesperson that "he was not surprised Kristen was told to stop".
My guess? This wasn't the first time it's happened.
Kristen Kelly felt insulted and humiliated from this event but stood her ground. She didn't go to the ladies room. Instead she finished under the stare of the employee who had come around again.
In my opinion, the Kelly family did the right things. They stood up for the right to breast feed anywhere in public which is the law in New York. They contacted the museum to complain, to let them know the employee's actions were wrong. Concerned with the reaction they received, they contact the media. I'd probably do the exact same thing.
That's what the league is all about, fighting injustices against the practices of mothering.
In an interview with NBC affiliate WNYT, Kristen said
"I have a right to feed my child where ever I want to feed him".
Way to go Kristen, stick up for your rights. The League will be definitely be following this story to make sure justice prevails.
P.S. Hey, whoever that employee was at the Museum of New York? You Suck.
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