Dear Mr./Mrs. President,

Women have always been labeled as a “sex” symbol. In the 1920’s women felt as if they were degraded or lesser valued than men. These valiant women started this “new breed” of women called flapper girls. This was to show that girls can dance to Jazz Age music, smoke, wear makeup, and speak their own language. They lived for the moment. They wanted to prove that they are just as equal as any man. From this, women degrading sparked. In today’s society it is okay for women to flaunt their body’s- porn magazine’s, undergarment advertisements, or car models, but if a women needs to naturally feed her child she is considered repulsive.

Some people may find breastfeeding their baby in public or having to leave their occupation to pump “disgusting.” Others may think it is natural and necessary. If one was to ask a mother’s opinion, they would soon find out that breastfeeding can be very uncomfortable and even more so when they need to pump. When a women pumps, her irritability, pain, and sensitivity in her breast area increases. She may even work more efficiently or better at her job. So for one to call a women who had to leave her job to pump, “disgusting” is a very gender shaming person.

As humans, we have an introspective mind, one that has the capacity to self-reflect, know the difference between right & wrong, and know that our actions can have complex consequences. As humans, we also have the freedom to have different opinions on what is right and what is wrong. You may have a different opinion than me on what is right & wrong, and that’s okay.

There is consequences to actions, and outcomes to everything we do and say, as well as reactions. It is human nature for a mother to feed her baby, without food the child will die. The nourishment that comes from the mother’s breast milk is what helps the baby develope. Studies show that babies that are breastfed for at least a year grow up to be significantly more intelligent as adults. Studies also show that breast milk helps brains develop faster.

We also have the freedom to think what we want when we want, as well as having the freedom of speech. If someone disagrees with breastfeeding a baby, or leaving a job to pump, then that is their own opinion, just as it is the mother’s decision to breastfeed in public or leave her job to pump the milk out of her breasts.

Men are very quick to jump up and call out a women about something. Even though it is illegal, it is more socially acceptable for a man to pull over on the side of the road after a long road trip and go to the bathroom, or walk around shirtless when they are hot. But God forbid if a women needs to relieve pain in her breasts or feed her child in a public place.

Mr./Mrs. President, I hope you will stand up for women, be the voice that some are scared to have, and confront debasing when it is witnessed. Unfortunately this world is not perfect and never will be, there will always be men who only see women as a sex symbol and will always have disrespect towards them. There will always be people who do not understand what it is like to have children, or do and do not understand breastfeeding or pumping out the pain because they are not a women. The man’s mind is absent of knowledge of the pain women endure if they do not pump out the milk, so that is why they will make gender shameful comments. The hope for women is in the hands of a leader. Someone who, when sees an issue, stands up for what is right. It will take a very courageous and mature president. Hopefully it will be you.

Respectfully yours,

Jasmine LeBeau