Texas Moms Contact TV News over Right to Breastfeed in Public at Park
When a playground volunteer at Discovery Green Park approached nursing mother Jennifer Hill and told her she needed to cover up with a blanket while breastfeeding, Jennifer declined and informed the employee about the Texas law governing breastfeeding in public. Unfortunately that did not deter the employee, who left but came back with a security guard and told Hill, “You can’t do that here.” Hill later wrote to the park and received an apology along with an unsatisfying promise only to interfere with breastfeeding mothers if another patron complains! Two weeks later, two other mothers were approached by a park employee and told that while she knew the mothers had a right, that breastfeeding was against park rules that do not allow food and drinks on the playground. When Ms. Hill learned of the latest incident, she and the two other mothers contacted the local FOX news outlet. MyFOX Houston ran the story, which includes an interview with the mothers and a statement by the park conservancy president Guy Hagstette:
I am very sorry that you guys had to experience this. I hope that you come back. I think you … you’re educating us, again, and we probably need to revise this policy.
Congratulations ladies, for having the courage to stand up to the park and appear on television. It cannot be easy to be thrust into the spotlight when you simply wish to breastfeed your child in public as you have a right to do. You’re paving the way for other mothers, and I am sure your efforts are appreciated!
Tags: breastfeeding-in-public, Discovery Green, nursing in public, texas lawRelated Stories
POSTED IN: activism, breastfeeding, law, nursing in public
5 opinions for Texas Moms Contact TV News over Right to Breastfeed in Public at Park
Jennifer B
Nov 22, 2008 at 5:31 pm
that’s awesome. I’m glad it had a good outcome, especially since the park has learned the error of its ways.
Jill
Nov 22, 2008 at 6:04 pm
I applaud all of the women, especially Jennifer, for insisting the park obey the law. It sounds like she handled the situation very well. Congrats!
Sam S
Nov 23, 2008 at 3:20 pm
It’s unbelievable that this continues to affect mothers and babies just trying to do what they are allowed to do. Thank you Angela for helping to get the message out. The more people that hear about these situations, and that the law protects this human right, the less it will happen. These mothers that stand up, and are subject to public scrutiny, are true leaders in ensuring that women’s rights to exercise their biological uniqueness is not just recognized but hopefully normalized and even respected…
Cindy Joy
Nov 26, 2008 at 12:07 pm
OMG, I laughed out loud when I got to the part where they told the Mother that she was in violation of park rules by having food and drink on the playground. How entirely ludicrous. And the whole idea that they would leave Mothers alone unless another park patron complained - well how about telling the complaining patron that the Mother had a legal right to breastfeed her child in public? I’m glad these Mothers stuck to their guns (yeah, pun intended). I have breastfed my youngest at Discovery Green and not been harassed, but I sure would have read someone the riot act if they had tried to pull those stunts on me! When I was breastfeeding my elder son, who turns 8 next week, I had people give me dirty looks on a regular basis and was actually asked to "go do that in the bathroom" more than once! Right, like I’m feeding my baby in the toilet! We’ve come a long way in the last 8 years, but this article shows that we still have a way to go. Kudos to these ladies!
Cindy Joy
Nov 26, 2008 at 12:46 pm
So, I have spoken to a person closely associated with Discovery Green and think a little clarification is in order. The person who approached the breastfeeding Mothers was a volunteer, and the volunteer training had failed to address breastfeeding in any way. When management learned of this gaffe, they took immediate steps to correct the issue and have changed their volunteer training to make sure that no one harasses breastfeeding Mothers again. I am sorry that there are still people who live in ignorance of the rights of Mothers and their babes, but I am glad that it was not actually ever against Discovery Green’s policies.
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