I've been out of town this weekend and just returned to read the
discussion about the IWF.  I have sent this letter, and I hope everyone
else on LACTNET sends their own.

To Whom this Concerns at Independent Women's Forum,

I write to you now as a concerned and alarmed, strong and independent
Republican woman and mother of six daughters and one son.  I have spent
all of my adult life attempting to instill very important values in my
children, and  I find it quite disheartening when I must rebut information
generated by women with whom I align myself with many times each day.
Your open letter to Secretary Leavitt by no means represents the majority,
and I cannot remain silent on such an important topic when you convolute
the truth about breastfeeding.

Your open letter addresses a few key issues about how using artificial
infant formula somehow can empower or support a woman.  Your
statement, “infant formula has been critical to enabling women to achieve
parity in the workplace by creating choice and greater flexibility in
infant nutrition,” sounds great semantically-speaking; however, as a
working woman and a mother, I know that promotion of a sub-standard
product like infant formula does little more than tell a woman that a
suitable replacement has been found for her.  There is great irony in your
statement.  Please ask yourself how a woman could possibly feel enabled or
empowered knowing that artificial infant formula derived mostly from cows
is parallel to that amazing product that she is able to produce.  Women
have been blessed with incredible and beautiful bodies that have the
ability to independently nourish and sustain another life (and often times
live(s) in the case of multiples).  Have you considered how absolutely
empowering this knowledge is to a woman?  Empowerment is a reflection of
an inner strength and an inner beauty, not something that can be achieved
by choosing an artificial product that in no way, shape, or form comes
close to duplicating what a woman can independently produce.
Breastfeeding is not detrimental to the progress of women.  Breastfeeding
is an incredibly bonding experience that sets women apart from men.  It is
a privilege.  It is an honor.  I am empowered knowing that it is I, and
only I, who can feed my infants.  I am a stronger woman because I choose
to breastfeed.

I take great exception to your statement that “this attack on working
women is also an attack on adoptive mothers.”  Adoptive mothers can
certainly breastfeed their infants.  Because of lack of knowledge and
information, many adoptive mothers don’t even know that this is a
possibility.  Many of my colleagues have adopted, and I know of many
mothers who have successfully breastfed their infants.  In fact, one
friend was producing over 30 ounces of breastmilk each day during the week
her baby was born.  Her baby was put to her breast within 2 hours of
delivery, and she has exclusively breastfed her baby since.  Your
generalizations about adoptive mothers are not factual, and you do many
women and children a huge disservice by perpetuating a belief that is
simply not true.

I have included in this letter photos of strong, empowered, beautiful
WORKING women who have chosen to breastfeed their children because they
know how empowering breastfeeding is. We are nurses, bankers, teachers,
cosmetic reps, military women, and TV producers.  Breastfeeding has not
stopped any of us from being strong and independent women.   Breastfeeding
is absolutely NOT an impediment to a career. I strongly encourage you to
reconsider your stance on infant formula.  I find it extremely
disappointing that an organization that professes to further the rights of
women has taken a huge backwards step on our behalf.

My best regards,

Angie Sohler
Mother of 7
Employed Nurse
Wife
Strong Woman, Empowered Woman

             ***********************************************

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