• Congratulations to Vanessa Hanible, recipient of the Carol Ryan Equity in Lactation Scholarship!

May 2021:

• Launch of the Equity Programs GoFundMe. Donations to this fund will support the East of the River Lactation Support Center (ERLSC), the Lactation Certification Preparation Course, and the Carol A. Ryan Equity in Lactation Scholarship.

August 2021:

• DCBFC was announced as one of the 15 programs (out of almost 80 submissions) awarded in Phase One of the U.S. Health and Human Services Reducing Disparities in Breastfeeding Innovation Challenge!

• The Program Development Committee led by Dr. Tender developed a Breastfeeding Curriculum.
• DCBFC partnered with Gallaudet University to offer breastfeeding classes to the Gallaudet University and the deaf community.

February 2020:

• Welcomed Amena Hamilton as the new Membership Committee Chair and National Breastfeeding Month Coordinator

April 2020:

• Dr. Long published a blog for Children's National Hospital about breastfeeding during the COVID-19 pandemic. Read the Rise and Shine blog by Dr. Long here.
• Dr. Long was elected to the Executive Committee of the AAP Section on Breastfeeding. Dr. Long will begin the position in November 2020.
• DCBFC has released a Lactation Resources letter outlining resources available during COVID-19.

July 2020:

• DCBFC and DC Health hosted a COVID-19 and early postpartum breastfeeding Continuing Medical Education (CME) course

August 2020:

• National Breastfeeding Month 2020 was a success! DCBFC virtually hosted the Big Latch, a charity walk in connection with Memphis BSTARS the Million Milk March.

December 2020:

• Mudiwah Kadeshe and Sharon Wright of the coalition participated as an advisory group for DC Safe Sleep Education and Outreach Project
• Presented at the Medicaid Reimbursement webinar in conjunction with DC Department of Healthcare Finance

• DCBFC wrote a letter to the Mayor about lack of breastfeeding discussion at the Mother- Infant Summit.
• D.C. Breastfeeding Resource Guide App is available for iOS and Android.

April 2019:

• DCBFC has been approved for membership in the United States Breastfeeding Committee (USBC)

June 2019:

• The Breastfeeding Resource Guide is now available in Spanish and Amharaic!

July 2019:

• Dr. Long invited to be a panelist to discuss breastfeeding at the Mayor's Maternal and Infant Health Summit
• Carol A Ryan Endowment Fund application opened! The Carol A. Ryan Endowment Fund is for individuals who will contribute to the DC breastfeeding support community by working with underserved communities for at least one year after training and will cover the IBCLC examination fee.

August 2019:

• DCBFC participated in the Global Big Latch-on Event at the Breastfeeding Center for Greater Washington.

September 2019:

• Coalition members, Vanessa Hanible and Jenny Tender, participated in a webinar presentation for USBC on DCBFC activities and new DC Breastfeeding Resource Guide App.

October 2019:

• 2020 Membership Drive

November 2019:

• Congratulations to Chrisonne Henderson, Inaugural recipient of the Carol Ryan Equity in Lactation Scholarship!

December 2019:

• Coalition members, Sahira Long, Jenny Tender, and Suzanne Henley from OSSE led a 75 minute workshop on "Creating a Breastfeeding-Friendly Child Care" at the Marriott Wardman Park Hotel in NW Washington, DC

• Board and general members attended USBC's Mid Atlantic Regional Meeting, where representatives from coalitions and organizations across the Mid-Atlantic Region came together to discuss their success stories and barriers they are having in their areas
• The 2019 Membership Drive began!

November 2018:

• DCBFC collaborates with Maryland Breastfeeding Coalition for the 9th Annual Breastfeeding-Friendly Workplace and 5th Annual Breastfeeding-Friendly Healthcare Professionals Awards honoring businesses and healthcare professionals committed to supporting breastfeeding families. There were 27 awardees.

• DCBFC forms a partnership with Lactation Education Resources by owner to grant an IBCLC-training course to one person of color free of charge. DCBFC will mentor the scholarship recipient throughout the complete process.

• DCBFC assists Providence Health System in becoming the second birthing facility in DC to achieve Baby-Friendly Hospital designation.

April 2016:

• DCBFC members presented at the 2016 NACCHO Breastfeeding Conference on leveraging funding from multiple sources.

June 2016:

• DCBFC assisted the Transportation Security Administration in developing a video that will be used to train all Transportation Security Officers on best practices in handling and screening of breast milk. The video featured members of the DCBFC board.

July 2016:

• DCBFC members presented at the 2016 ROSE conference in New Orleans on the importance of cultural coalitions and facilitated a discussion on engaging physicians in breastfeeding support and promotion efforts.

August 2016:

• DCBFC members presented as panelist at the USBC National Breastfeeding Coalitions Conference and also led a table discussion on the work that the Coalition has done to decrease disparate breastfeeding rates.
• DCBFC, in collaboration with Howard University Hospital WIC, screened the film "Milk" by Naomi Wies for Black Breastfeeding Week. Attendees included WIC participants, community members, hospital staff and DCBFC members.
• DCBFC awarded $25,000 by the Association of State and Territorial Health Officials (ASTHO) to augment the provision of peer and professional support for breastfeeding and efforts to improve maternity care practices supportive of breastfeeding in DC.

October 2016:

• DCBFC board member served as an invited speaker for Breast Health Month program developed by the Health Alliance Network on the protective benefits of breastfeeding against breast cancer and work DCBFC does in the community to improve breastfeeding rates.

December 2016:

• DCBFC awarded additional $300,000 by DC DOH Title V Program to continue creating a Baby-Friendly District of Columbia Initiative for another year.

• DCBFC board and general members presented at the Children's National Health Network Annual Meeting. Topics included managing common breastfeeding challenges and tongue-tie.

August 2015:

• DCBFC partnered with DC WIC for the 3rd Annual Breastfeeding Month Event.
• "10-Step" posters with WHO Code were approved by Baby-Friendly USA, and approval for production by the Department of Health. Approval from all 8 birthing facilities to use their logo. Made available in English and Spanish and distributed to all of the hospitals and the birthing center for distribution.

October 2015:

• DCBFC board member presented at American Academy of Pediatrics detailing the Coalition's work with health disparities.
• DCBFC attended "Her Story Matters" an event by the Ward 7 Health Alliance Network and Breast Care for Washington. DCBFC was featured on the panel to speak about the protective benefits of breastfeeding and breast cancer. The mayor, DOH Director and Ward 7 Councilwoman Evette Alexander were in attendance.

November 2015:

• DCBFC was featured on Black Health Matters for the Peer Counselor Program.

December 2015:

• DCBFC board members advocated for the Universal Paid Family Leave Act of 2015, testifying before the DC Council, emphasizing the importance of parental leave and its benefits for breastfeeding families.
• DCBFC awarded almost $300,000 by the DC Department of Health Title V to continue the Creating a Baby-Friendly District of Columbia Hospital Initiative.

• Department of Health Community Health Administration awarded to DCBFC $75,000. The grant helped to facilitate the Creating a Baby-Friendly District of Columbia efforts in three facilities.
• DCBFC was awarded the National Association of City and County Health Officials (NACCHO) grant of $25,000. The funds will help provide peer and professional breastfeeding support to African-American women and underserved women.

• DC Breastfeeding Resource Guides translated in Spanish
• Dr. Tender presents on breastfeeding during Grand Rounds at Providence Hospital

February 2013:

• Dr. Long participates in #BlkBFing: Making HERstory blog carnival sponsored by ROSE, USBC and MomsRising
• Dr. Long participates in the W.K. Kellogg Foundation.s First Food Forum: Growing a Movement So All Children Thrive
• Dr. Tender presents on breastfeeding during Grand Rounds at Providence Hospital

March 2013:

• DCBFC article The DC Breastfeeding-Friendly Hospital Initiative: An Evaluation of Hospitals. Support for Breastfeeding in the Capital of the United States published online for the Journal of Human Lactation
• Dr. Long presents on breastfeeding during Grand Rounds at Providence Hospital

• Dr. Long does a blogpost on breastfeeding for MomsRising during black history month
• Georgetown achieves Baby Friendly Designation! Congratulations!
• DCBFC launches the 2012 DC Breastfeeding Friendly Hospital Initiative

March 2012:

• Breastfeeding Peer Counselor speaks to parenting teens at Anacostia High School during their Breastfeeding Workshop as part of the .New Heights Program.

April 2012:

• Drs. Tender and Long meet with DC Department of Healthcare Finance to discuss reimbursement of lactation services and equipment under DC Medicaid

May 2012:

• 2012 DC Breastfeeding Resource Guides released

June 2012:

• Howard University and Providence Hospitals selected to participate in Best Fed Beginnings Collaborative to become Baby-Friendly

August 2012:

• Dr. Long presents poster on .Addressing Breastfeeding-Related Maternity Care Practices Collaboratively. during USBC National State Breastfeeding Coalitions Conference
• DCBFC members participate in USBC Advocacy Day on Capitol Hill
• DCBFC hits 300+ fans on Facebook
• DCBFC participates in USBC social media campaign for National Breastfeeding Month "Twenty Actions in Twenty days"

September 2012:

• Dr. Long serves as a guest speaker for Best Fed Beginnings Region B presentation on Culturally Sensitive Maternity Care Practices

October 2012:

• Dr. Long presents poster on .Addressing Breastfeeding-Related Maternity Care Practices Collaboratively. during Academy of Breastfeeding Medicine Meeting and AAP NCE
• Alexandra Sims presents poster on .Survey of Knowledge, Attitudes and Practices of DC ACOG Members Related to Breastfeeding. during AAP NCE
• Inaugural DC Breastfeeding Promotion Mother Baby Summit at Providence Hospital
• DC DOH is one of 16 recipients of the DC/MD Breastfeeding Friendly Workplace Award! Congratulations!

November 2012:

• DCBFC awarded grant from W.K. Kellogg Foundation to continue services and research on improving breastfeeding rates among African American women at the East of the River Lactation Support Center

• DCBFC and MBC distinguish 10 local businesses with Inaugural Regional Breastfeeding-Friendly Workplace Awards
• Dr. Sahira Long and Gabriela Garcia meet with representatives from DC Department of Health to discuss ways to improve DCBFC and DOH collaboration on breastfeeding support and promotion efforts
• Dr. Sahira Long invited to present "Healthcare and Community Support in Action" at the US Surgeon General's Call to Action to Support Breastfeeding

February 2011:

• Dr. Sahira Long writes MomsRising blog about African American mothers and breastfeeding in celebration of Black History Month

March 2011:

• DCBFHI Final Results Poster Presentation by Kathy Logan at National Association of Pediatric Nurse Practitioners Conference
• DCBFC and MBC award 5 local business a Business Case for Breastfeeding Mini-grant to establish or augment their employee lactation support program
• DCBFC collaborates with Children's National Medical Center and DC WIC State Agency to establish the Children's National East of the River Lactation Support Center

April 2011:

• Drs. Long, Tender and Young met with a legislative aide from Senator Mikulski's office to discuss USBC letter requesting dedicated federal funding to support breastfeeding promotion

June 2011:

• DCBFC team participates in Susan G. Komen Global Race for the Cure to spread the word about the protective benefit of breastfeeding against premenopausal breast cancer

July 2011:

• Dr. Tender launches study of breastfeeding education for residents and medical students rotating at Holy Cross Hospital and George Washington University
• DCBFC hits 200+ fans on Facebook

August 2011:

• Senator Merkley and Representative Maloney introduced the Breastfeeding Promotion Act of 2011 in both houses of Congress

September 2011:

• Dr. Long presents "Answering the call: Obstretric support for breastfeeding in action" to the DC Section of the American Congress of Obstetrics and Gynecology

December 2011:

• The Washington Post does a story on the East of the River Lactation Support Center
• DCBFC conducts survey of DC OB/GYNs to assess knowledge, attitudes and practices of breastfeeding

• Assisted USBC with organizing Lobby Day portion of State Breastfeeding Coalitions Conference (SBCC)
• USBC SBCC:
  • DCBFHI Poster Presentation by Dr. Sahira Long
  • Breastfeeding Advocacy Day Poster Presentation by Dr. Jennifer Tender
  • Breakfast Table Topic Discussion on Strategies to Improve Breastfeeding
  • Rates in Low-Income, Minority Women facilitated by Kathleen Logan, Gwendolyn West, and Drs. Long, Tender and Young

March 2010:

• 2009 Breastfeeding Friendly Hospital Awards presented to Georgetown University Hospital
• Most-Improved Awards presented to Howard University Hospital (Practices), Providence Hospital (Website) and Washington Hospital Center (Policies)
• DCBFHI Presentation to Maryland Breastfeeding Coalition by Dr. Sahira Long

April 2010:

• Facebook page for DCBFC launched
• DCBFC awarded grant to host the Business Case for Breastfeeding training and conduct business outreach activities in collaboration with Maryland Breastfeeding Coalition (MBC)
• Drs. Tender and Young meet with representative from the DC Department of Health Care Finance to discuss improving coverage of lactation services and equipment among Medicaid patients in the District

May 2010:

• Presentation to the Mayor's Commission on Food and Nutrition on the State of Breastfeeding in Washington, DC and the DCBFHI by Drs. Tender, Long, and Young
• 10,000 copies of the 3rd edition of the DC Breastfeeding Resource Guide published

June 2010:

• Dr. Sahira Long participates in CDC expert panel meeting to Develop a National Strategy for Breastfeeding-Related Maternity Care Practices in Atlanta, GA

July 2010:

• DCBFC and MBC host Business Case for Breastfeeding training in Greenbelt, MD

August 2010:

• DCBFC and MBC announce 1st annual Regional Breastfeeding Friendly Worksite Recognition Awards

September 2010:

• Dr. Tender presented at OB/Gyn Grand rounds at WHC regarding prenatal discussions on breastfeeding by residents and attendings

October 2010:

• Carol Ryan presented Implementing The Joint Commission Core Measure: Exclusive Breastfeeding on Discharge at the 20th Annual Art of Breastfeeding Conference: "The Past, Present, and Future of Breastfeeding" in Chapel Hill, NC
  
• AAP Section on Breastfeeding Program:
  • DCBFHI Final Results Poster Presentation by Dr. Sahira Long
  • Breastfeeding Advocacy Day Poster Presentation by Dr. Michal Young
• DCBFC establishes DC Perinatal Lactation Quality Care Collaborative to address breastfeeding-related maternity care practices

June 2009: Organized Breastfeeding Advocacy Day to promote the Breastfeeding Promotion Act of 2009 (sponsored by DC and VA Chapters of American Academy of Pediatrics)

August 2009: DC Breastfeeding Friendly Hospital Initiative (DCBFHI) Follow-up Evaluations begun

October 2009:

• AAP Section on Breastfeeding Program: DCBFHI Poster Presentation by Dr. Sahira Long
• Received DC Chapter of AAP Advocacy Award

November 2009: Assisted USBC with Breastfeeding Promotion Act Legislative Briefing

August 2008: World Breastfeeding Week activities:

• DC Breastfeeding Friendly Hospital Initiative begun
• USBC Meeting: Breastfeeding Promotion Act Advocacy Toolkit Presentation by Dr. Sahira Long

• Partnership with DC Public Schools Head Start and Early Head Start Programs established
• Participation in Community Health Education Fair in Trinidad section of NE

June 2007: Drs. Young and Tender testified in support of The Child’s Right to Nurse Human Rights Amendment Act of 2007

May 2006: Website launched

August 2006: World Breastfeeding Week Activities

• Providence: Basics of Breastfeeding for Healthcare Providers by Dr. Sharon Mass
• Unity Healthcare (Upper Cardozo Health Center): Impact of Birth Practices on Breastfeeding by Dr. M. Young
• WIC/ Farmer’s Market: Breastfeeding Celebration

• Participation in Breastfeeding Fair at Children’s Hospital
• Howard University Grand Rounds: When Breastfeeding Does Not Come Naturally by Dr. Michal Young
• Children’s Hospital professorial rounds: The Risks of Not Breastfeeding by Dr. M. Young

September 2005: DC Breastfeeding Coalition incorporated as 501(c)(3) organization

December 2005: Collaborated on Workplace Breastfeeding Friendly Awards

• Howard University Hospital Surgical Grand Rounds: Impact of Breast Surgery on Breastfeeding
• Panel discussion on Management of Routine Breastfeeding Problems in Busy Medical Setting

December 2004: DC Breastfeeding Coalition Established

August 2003: DC Breastfeeding Drop-in Clinic opening

September 2003: Howard University Hospital Conference: Recapturing the Breastfeeding Tradition: The State of Breastfeeding in the African-American Community