Hello and Happy Holidays to All-
I just read a story in a Nurseweek publication that inspired me to think we lactivists could do the same.  Last year 10 RNs bought one share each in Philip Morris stock, with the plan to use their right as shareholders to speak at the company's annual meeting.  They flew in to the meeting as a group, bringing with them a large banner featuring letters from family members of folks who have tobacco-related illnesses.  They were not allowed to display their banner inside the meeting, but they held it up outside the hotel, getting lots of public and media attention.  

They each used their allotted few minutes speaking time in the meeting to discuss the medical evidence of tobacco's health hazards.  their intent was to educate the shareholders as a group, and put pressure on the tobacco industry to stop advertising its products to the public.  They also notified the media of their presence at the meeting, and got good coverage.  Next year they plan to repeat their action, and are hoping to bring several HUNDRED nurses to speak!

Wow.  What if a hundred Lactnetters showed up at the Mead-Johnson or Ross annual meeting?  What if the other shareholders were convinced by our impassioned and eloquent presentation of the evidence that formula advertising hurts babies and moms?  I feel sure that lots of "us" would not feel comfortable with buying the stock that would get us in to the meeting.  But how many of us already hold shares in mutual funds that are have some holdings in pharmaceutical companies?  Applying pressure from within could be remarkably effective.  let's talk about it!
Martha Johnson RN IBCLC
Eugene OR 
  
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