The Milk Truck
A mobile unit for breastfeeding mothers
Initiator(s)
Jill Miller
Description
The Milk Truck is a combination of guerrilla theatre, activism and slapstick humour. When a woman finds herself in a situation where she is discouraged, harassed, or unwelcome to breastfeed her baby in public, she contacts The Milk Truck. The truck summons social media supporters and arrives to the location of the woman in need, providing her with a shelter for feeding her baby. A giant breast is attached to the roof of the converted ice cream truck, creating a spectacle, which incidentally is the very thing that the person who harasses the woman wanted to avoid. Artist Jill Miller created The Milk Truck when The Andy Warhol Museum invited her to participate in their Pittsburgh Biennial exhibition.
Goals
Raise awareness of Pennsylvania and of other states' breastfeeding-in-public protection laws.
To educate people about the benefits of breastfeeding to the child, the mother, the family and the community.
Beneficial outcomes
Pittsburgh Board is planning to focus on distributing supportive breastfeeding bags to interested mothers when they give birth at local hospitals and birthing centres. Pittsburgh City Council declared September 13, 2011 "The Milk Truck Day," by official proclamation.
Location
United States
Users
Mothers, babies, and social media supporters.
Maintained by
The Andy Warhol Museum (Pittsburgh Biennial exhibition), Jill Miller, Tara McElfresh, Daisy Klaber, Trivia Guru, Michael Bennett, Brandon Boan, Vanessa Manz, Vicky Yuh, Caitlin Boyle, and donations.
Duration
2011 - ongoing
Category
Scientific
Pedagogical
Politics
Urban Development
Economy
Environment
Social
