City of Springfield Holds Flag Raising Ceremony for National Breastfeeding Month

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 gathered with Shenell R. Ford of Heart2Heartbeat Lactation & Wellness, the Breastfeeding Community Action Circle, and Baystate Health to commemorate National Breastfeeding Month with a flag raising ceremony on the front steps of City Hall.

Also in attendance were Ayanna Crawford representing State Representative Orlando Ramos, Dr. Andrew Balder, and Baystate Health Community Liaison and longtime activist Mable Sharif.

National Breastfeeding Month is celebrated throughout August, beginning with:

• World Breastfeeding Week (Aug. 1–7)
• Native and Indigenous Breastfeeding Week (Aug. 8–14)
• Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander Breastfeeding Week (Aug. 15–21)
• Black Breastfeeding Week (Aug. 22–31)

As part of the ceremony, Mayor Sarno issued a proclamation declaring August as National Breastfeeding Month in Springfield.

Mayor Sarno stated:
“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 and Attorney Talia Gee’s efforts, we now have a dedicated lactation room at City Hall for parental leave.”