ABOUT THE FOUNDER
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!
As a Certified Lactation Educator Counselor and Certified Blactivist, Simmons is speaking at conferences and events to eliminate general miseducation around the topic. Simmons is a public speaker 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. Vanessa is an aspiring author and resides with her supportive husband and three children in San Diego, CA.

WHAT PEOPLE SAY

ANNA FORSBERG, DOULA
I signed up for a social media class trusting that I would get some practical skills on how to procure visuals for my business. And yes, I got those but what I didn't expect was for Vanessa to give me permission to envision an even bigger and better version of my business. After just an hour, I had an entirely transformed vision that I am still pretty in awe of. I highly recommend Vanessa's courses to any entrepreneur looking to push themselves to the next level. Or in my case, 10 levels!
SEKEITA LEWIS-JOHNSON, IBCLC
Thank you,
What a blessing you are! I have gotten somewhat comfortable with some of the tools you suggested!
International Press
2014
Huffington Post
https://www.huffpost.com/entry/normalize-breastfeeding-photography_n_5997540
2015
CBS Local
Huffpost
https://www.huffpost.com/entry/international-day-to-normalize-breastfeeding_n_7688902
Totally Pop Culture
Elite Daily
Madame Noire
https://madamenoire.com/570923/a-mothers-right-new-virginia-law-allows-public-breastfeeding/
Posh Seven
https://www.poshseven.com/free-to-feed.html
2016
Huffington Post
Vogue
San Diego Free Press
https://sandiegofreepress.org/2016/08/black-breastfeeding/#.W_YfiRiIZ0o
Zumby
http://zumby.news/mamas-militares-amamantando-bebes/
Parent Herald
Wink News
http://www.winknews.com/2016/06/27/mayor-promotes-normalization-with-day-for-public-breastfeeding/
Black Matters US
https://blackmattersus.com/14900-black-women-do-breastfeed/
Powwows
https://www.powwows.com/native-mom-featured-campaign-normalize-breastfeeding/
Parents
OB Rag
https://obrag.org/2016/05/is-it-socially-acceptable-to-breast-feed-in-public-yet/
Pop Sugar
https://www.popsugar.com/moms/Breastfeeding-Moms-Nurse-Military-Uniforms-41305662
Daily Mail
Cosmopolitan
https://www.cosmopolitan.com/lifestyle/news/a58533/breastfeeding-military-photo-project/
2017
Yahoo Español
https://es.vida-estilo.yahoo.com/mujeres-lactantes-furor-redes-sociales-slideshow-wp-104319325.html
Romper
Rebel Circus
Glamour
https://www.glamour.com/gallery/moms-prove-breastfeeding-can-be-done-anywhere
Huffington Post
https://www.huffpost.com/entry/virginia-public-breastfeeding-law_n_6721700
Romper
2018
Huffpost/Yahoo Lifestyle
Mundiario
Prime World News
Blasting News UK
Parents Magazine
AOL
Man Repeller
https://www.manrepeller.com/2018/11/5-women-on-why-they-decided-to-breastfeed-or-not.html
WHYY
Yahoo News
UNC Health Talk
https://healthtalk.unchealthcare.org/the-racial-disparity-in-breastfeeding/
The Guardian
2019
Sun News