Local Woman Envisions Mobile Breastfeeding Truck
PITTSBURGH (KDKA) -- A local artist and teacher at Carnegie Mellon University has come up with an idea to support mothers who are harassed for nursing in public.
Jill Miller envisions something she calls "The Milk Truck." She wants to buy an ice cream truck and outfit it with a giant breast on the roof.
When a woman is made to feel uncomfortable or told to leave a public place for breastfeeding, she could contact "The Milk Truck." The truck would respond and park in front of the restaurant or other establishment, along with followers of the program through Twitter and Facebook.
Project manager Tara McElfresh says they will lay down a rug, set up chairs under an awning on the side of the truck, and if the mother still needs to, she can nurse outside in an environment of support.
McElfresh says she's heard stories of women who have encountered problems breastfeeding in public in Pittsburgh, including a woman who says she was told to leave a restaurant in Squirrel Hill.
Miller is trying to raise $10,000 to make the project a reality through pledges at a site called Kickstarter.com. She's already raised $4,300 and gotten responses from around the world.
Once completed, the truck is scheduled to be part of an exhibit starting in September at the Andy Warhol Museum.
McElfresh says the truck will also make appearances at events.
Miller says the truck is supposed to be an attention-grabber when it responds to a call for help.
"Thought the nursing mother created a spectacle? Meet 'The Milk Truck!'" she said.
RELATED LINKS
Kickstarter.com: The Milk Truck
More Local News
FOLLOW US:
KDKA On Facebook
KDKA On Twitter
Follow KDKA Personalities
