Pamela Henkel and Yashica Mack first became acquainted while participating in Les Brown’s Power Voice System training program and Jon Talarico’s Thinking Into Results coaching program. During an interview, Pamela revealed to Yashica that she had a vision of a book that would change the world. Pamela stated that this book was placed in her heart, but she had not yet acted upon it. Yashica was intrigued and inspired by Pamela’s vision, and so it began; these two visionary authors were called to collaborate and create an anthology that would ultimately bring together more than 35 women to share their stories and offer hope.
This episode highlights collaborating author Vanessa Simmons. In 2014, Ghanaian-American mother and photographer Vanessa Simmons authored the Normalize Breastfeeding® movement to address the taboo of public breastfeeding in modern society. Her mission was to document diverse variations of normal infant feeding across cultures and delivery methods of human milk.
Through Simmons' viral blog, her photographic speaking tour, philanthropy, and artistic inspiration, she mobilized and motivated thousands of women to share their breastfeeding photos on social media. After a very successful first year, she reached out to the Mayor of San Diego to proclaim June 27th the International Day to Normalize breastfeeding, in support of the worldwide anniversary event!
Certified Lactation Educator Counselor and Blacktivist, Vanessa Simmons is now speaking out at conferences and events across the country to eliminate general miseducation around the topic. On the Normalize Breastfeeding podcast, she interviews guests about experiences, advocacy, and activism within the infant feeding community worldwide.
As a public speaker, Simmons is focused on transforming the modern mindset around the natural yet difficult task of breastfeeding. Vanessa trains lactation professionals to better understand and connect with millennial families online. She creatively motivates and inspires families to be mindful that this is a time to be cherished, and although fleeting, it is also a time to reinvent what will be acceptable for feeding generations of the future.
Contact Vanessa: https://normalizebreastfeeding.org/vanessa-simmons
