Sarah Rubenstein-Gillis
Sarah Rubenstein-Gillis, LMSW is a Clinical Social Worker at Cornell University. Her professional career has included work as a faculty member, crisis and support counselor, community organizer, and advocate for HIV/AIDS education. Sarah presented a research project titled, “Reel Milk: Uncovering Breastfeeding in Hollywood” to address how media influences our social perceptions of breastfeeding.
Sarah spoke to the lack of state and federal regulation to protect breastfeeding, as well as the important role of lactation consultants. She called for institutions to enable friendly spaces for families who wish to breastfeed. The class thus discussed the controversial complexities of baby-friendly hospital initiatives and hypersexualization of women and breastfeeding.
The main takeaway for public health professionals is to advocate for maternal and child health and healthy parenting to include paid maternity and paternity leave, baby-friendly workplaces, affordable childcare, and lactation rooms in public spaces. Additionally, as public health change-makers, it is important to consider the role that women of color, men, and corporations play in breastfeeding as a social norm.
Andréina Thielen Martin
This exposé was written by Andreína Thielen Martin, a student in the Cornell MPH Program with a concentration in “Food Systems for Global Health” and minor in Latina/o Studies. Andreína graduated from California State University Los Angeles in 2017 with a BS degree in Nutritional Science and minor in Spanish. She aspires to become a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist and PhD in Venezuelan food sovereignty.