This year the DCBFC received a one-time donation to the Carol A. Ryan Equity in Lactation Scholarship and was able to give three people the books/resources award and one person the IBCLE exam award. These exceptional awardees are:

• Angela Adams is a LPN II who has worked over 25 years in the nursing field and 9 years as a lactation counselor. Angela says that she "loves assisting young mothers with breastfeeding and empowering them to know who they are and the importance of breastmilk for their infants. African American and American Indian culture families are underserved, and I believe I can make a difference."
  
  
• Geneva McDaniels works as a pediatric emergency room tech and lactation coach at Mamatoto Village. She is described as a "confident, empathic, reliable and compassionate leader with an interest in education and advocacy who has demonstrated a commitment to supporting and uplifting the community through her work." She aspires to own a Birthing Center.
  
  
• Kandice A. Smith is an enthusiastic breastfeeding advocate and lactation peer educator at CHC Anacostia and a ROSE (Reaching Our Sister's Everywhere) Community Transformer. She is the membership chair for the DC Breastfeeding Coalition. Kandice is a mom of 3, native Washingtonian and is described as "optimistic, a community builder and life-long learner."
  
  
• Janelle Cruz is a certified nursing and geriatric assistant, pharmacy technician and lactation peer educator. She is passionate about assisting others to live their most optimal life. She says that "compassion, respect and understanding for other people is key to my success in this work. I love sharing, educating and cheering on other breastfeeding moms with the knowledge I have gained."