ProMoM Inc. - Promoting the awareness and acceptance of breastfeeding.

The 3 Minute Activist
Victoria's Secret (June 23, 2006).

On June 22, 2006, a mom was told by a Victoria's Secret employee that nursing in a changing room would be "unsanitary" and she should use a restroom instead. Ask Limited Brands to post their breastfeeding friendly policy in each store.

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Victoria's Secret South Market Building Faneuil Hall MarketPlace Sharen Jester Turney, CEO and President Victoria's Secret Four Limited Parkway East Reynoldsburg, OH 43068 Leslie Wexner, Chairman and CEO Limited Brands Three Limited Parkway Columbus, OH 43230 Copy: Tom Katzenmeyer, SVP, Investor, Media and Community Relations of Limited Brands Manager - Boston's Fanueil Hall Victoria's Secret, Sharen Jester Turney, CEO Victoria's Secret, and Leslie Wexner, CEO Limited Brands On June 22, 2006, a mother was told that nursing in a Victoria's Secret changing room would be "unsanitary" and she should use a restroom instead. The mom asked a Victoria's Secret employee at the Boston Faneuil Hall MarketPlace if she could use a changing room for a moment to nurse her very hungry baby. The employee inquired, "Oh, to change her?" When the mom responded that she needed to nurse the baby, the employee directed the mom to a bathroom across the way and said it would be unsanitary to nurse in the changing room. The employee added that it was "store policy." The conversation between the astonished mother and the employee continued. As the mother knew her rights, she pushed "I believe Victoria's Secret was recently in the news for denying a nursing mother the availability of a changing room to nurse. I believe the company made a public apology." But, the employee insisted that it was "just store policy." I hope you can see how this is extremely frustrating for many people, especially nursing mothers, considering this has happened before. And, Anthony Hebron, speaking for Limited Brands, claimed that there is a "long-standing policy" allowing nursing in your stores. (http://www.suntimes.com/output/news/cst-nws-nurse03.html) Please take immediate action to educate all employees about this policy. You may find the information "For Businesses" on the breastfeeding promotion site ProMoM.org helpful. (http://www.promom.org/bf_info/for_businesses.html) I understand the mother has had positive conversations over the phone from home with the store manager, but that does not erase that the incident happened in the first place. It is very frustrating that your corporate message is not reaching all employees, and incidents like this continue to occur in your stores. It appears that actions taken in the past have not been sufficient. Please notify me of what will you be doing differently this time. Perhaps stores could be required to post the official breastfeeding policy at the entrance to the store, so customers have something to point to. Many stores display signs that say "Breastfeeding Welcome Here," and adding this iconic image to your displays would serve as a quick reminder to nursing mothers that Victoria's Secret is breastfeeding friendly. Sincerely,
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The 3 Minute Activist Victoria's Secret (June 23, 2006).

The 3 Minute Activist
Victoria's Secret (June 23, 2006).