Deaf & Hard of Hearing Breastfeeding Week — ANTHROPOLOGY OF MOTHERHOOD

The DC Breastfeeding Coalition along with the Deaf and Hard of Hearing Breastfeeding Collective, has partnered to form a powerful collaboration with Anthropology of Motherhood and the United States Breastfeeding Committee.

We are excited to bring you the inaugural Deaf and Hard of Hearing Breastfeeding (DHHBF) Week, September 16–22, 2025. The 2025 theme is Close the Gap, Bridge the Divide: Establish Breastfeeding Support Access. The mission of this initiative is to Provide Deaf and Hard of Hearing families with accessible breastfeeding education, support, and community, because language and breastfeeding access matters from birth.

ASL Breastfeeding Education Video Series

The first of its kind, this breastfeeding series features education and information specifically targeted to engage Deaf and Hard of Hearing people. There is no spoken English used throughout the series, only ASL and closed captioning. The production company, Blue20, is owned by a Deaf person; more than 90% of the talent engaged and the production team is Deaf or Hard of Hearing.

The series includes:
1) Answers to Common Breastfeeding Concerns
2) The Gift That Lasts a Lifetime
3) Breastfeeding: In the Beginning; Returning to Work Advocacy

These three videos were produced by the D.C. Breastfeeding Coalition and Blue20.

Breastfeeding Education Series

livestream Q&A: Answers to Common Breastfeeding Questions

September 20, 2025, 3-4 pm EST

Join us for a one hour livestreamed Question and Answer (Q&A) session hosted by DC Breastfeeding Coalition and the Deaf and Hard of Hearing Breastfeeding Collective. Let us answer your common breastfeeding questions from "Getting Started" to "Returning to Work". Experienced International Board Certified Lactation Consultants and a Certified Lactation Counselor will be available to take your questions. ASL interpretation will be provided.

Q&A Direct Link | 9/20 3-4 pm EST

2025/2026 Call for Artwork for Deaf Artists

Full application for artists coming in January 2026.

Important Announcement of a Call for Art from Deaf artist, mother, grandmother, curator, and founder of Anthropology of Motherhood, Fran Flaherty:

“With our partners, DC Breastfeeding Coalition and DHH Breastfeeding Collective, we announce a call for art. The goal of this call for art is so that we can share our experiences as deaf and hard-of-hearing mothers. This is important because mothers in general feel isolated. For deaf and hard-of-haring mothers, the isolation is felt much more. The lack of research and support for breastfeeding and deaf and hard of hearing mothers are limited and I experienced that. I experienced being isolated from my art community. Through art, we can come together and make the experiences of Deaf and hard-of-hearing breastfeeding mothers more visible.

We welcome all artists using any medium - painting, sculpture, performance, installation, digital art. The exhibit will be held in 2 cities, first Washington DC and next, in Pittsburgh. We will be accepting applications beginning January 2026. This event coincides with AoM’s 10th anniversary! Our goal is to build a community and inspire change.

How do you apply?
First, plan your work, decide what you will submit, then visit Anthropology of Motherhood, where a link will be on our website. This is a powerful opportunity to share our stories. I invite you all apply for this opportunity to share your artwork, perspective, and your vision for the future of deaf and hard-of-hearing mothers.”