YW Becomes Community and Employer Partner for NCBfC

YWCA and NCBfC logos announcing partnership

We are proud to announce that the North Carolina Breastfeeding Coalition (NCBfC) has awarded the YWCA of Asheville both their Community Partner and Employer Awards. Emilina Smith, Early Learning Director of Operations, says “this recognition tells the larger community that we are committed to providing a safe, welcoming space to breastfeed for our community members, and that we are committed to making accommodations for our own employees who wish to continue to nurse their infants after returning to work.”

NCBfC is a 501(c) non-profit organization that seeks to advocate for families, educate health care systems and employers about best practices, increase lactation support and diversity, and build the capacity of the Coalition through an atmosphere of inclusion and outreach. 

Breastfeeding provides important health benefits to both mothers and babies, yet many families who begin breastfeeding in the hospital stop in the early weeks following birth due to lack of social and employer support. It takes systemic and environmental change to succeed in sustaining and increasing breastfeeding rates and in helping lactating women feel supported. Normalizing breastfeeding in the community is an essential step in this support and takes dedicated and caring people and organizations to make it happen. Becoming a partner with the NCBfC is a natural expression of our Mission to empower women, promote health, and nurture families, and we are honored to receive this recognition.