Meet Our Scholarship Recipients!
We are proud to introduce the May 2022 recipients of our Lactation Education Program Scholarships! Please join us in celebrating them and their accomplishment as our new Certificated Lactation Education Specialists (CLES)! See below to learn more about what this scholarship means to them.
Claudia Alcaraz
“More knowledge, more power, a bigger opportunity for CHANGE!”
Merissa Arnold Stern
“It means so much to help out other nursing parents who have felt like they didn’t have a choice to agree to breastfeed, or that having a NICU baby somehow took it away, or their mental health is low, I want to help them regain their power and health for themselves and their babies.”
Melissa Bermudez
“Saving the world one breastfeeding momma at a time.”
Vanessa Byrd-Walker
“It means I am on the right path.”
Bianca Castillo
“Appreciate the small outcomes and believe everything is worthwhile.”
Destini Eatmon
“This generous offer will grant me the opportunity to finally follow my dreams of becoming a Lactation Consultant and educating the community. Prior to this scholarship, I put a hold on signing up for the course simply because I could not afford it. A little help goes a long way and I am extremely grateful and honored to have been chosen for this award. Thank you to BreastfeedLA for this amazing opportunity, I truly cannot wait to get started on this new journey.”
Yahaira Flores
“I am still a work in progress and hope to always be ! I learn so that I can in return teach others.”
Marlene Gamez
“Receiving the BreastfeedLA scholarship gives me the opportunity to learn a new skill that I can use for myself as a new mom and to help other individuals in the community.”
Markedia “Moka” Hinds
“I’m so grateful to be equipped with the knowledge to help support moms in making one of the biggest decisions for themselves and their children. Although I knew the importance of breast-feeding, I was supported by lactation professionals who assured me that I could let go of the belief that my boobs were too small to produce sufficient milk and day 2 of my sun being on the planet, it was a zoom call with a consultant that helped to navigate the most comfortable latch. I I am so grateful I am going to be able to provide this specialized and very special support!”
Niquita LeValdo
“Accessible lactation courses are vital to providing support for my community.”
Keana Lofton
“Receiving the BreastfeedLA scholarship will give me the education I need to better support breastfeeding mamas in the BIPOC community. This will allow me to play an active role in improving the overall health and wellbeing of our community.”
Amanda Murillo
“Receiving the BreastfeedLA scholarship means that I am one step closer to providing the right education and support all mothers who desire to breastfeed.”
Benicia Reed
“Receiving the BreastfeedLA scholarship, means I am one step closer to acquiring the knowledge and skills to support breastfeeding BIPOC in my community.”
Mychel Scott
“I am grateful to be able to receive this scholarship as it is confirmation that I am capable of completing my Doula Certification. This scholarship has given me freedom to focus on my clients while gaining knowledge to match the intuitive downloads that I receive about the power of breastfeeding. I am floating on this opportunity to be able to better support my community of mamas!!”