Our state ILCA affiliate recently started an awards program. Categories
were: most BF friendly (1) physician, (2) legislator, (3) hospital, (4)
peer counselor, (5) WIC project, (6) business, (7) OLCA member, and (8)
media outlet. The awards committee received many submissions from all over
the state in all categories. The ceremony at our annual conference (Ohio
Breastfest) last weekend was very exciting and inspiring!

I have to admit that I was originally lukewarm about the idea. Then I
remembered the words of my friend Carl Bromer, who is VP of sales for a
manufacturing company and runs professional sales seminars. He says the
best way to increase a certain behavior is to shine a spotlight on it.
After seeing the results in my state, I'm convinced that
Breastfeeding-Friendly awards are a great idea. OLCA's awards program was
very well-received, inexpensive, and I hope continues for a good long time!

Linda J. Smith, BSE, FACCE, IBCLC
Bright Future Lactation Resource Centre
Dayton, OH USA
http://www.bflrc.com