Media Release: 2001 La Leche League Awards

Schaumburg, IL (June 2001)-La Leche League International, the world’s foremost authority on breastfeeding, is pleased to announce its 2001 Award recipients.

This year’s Award of Appreciation goes to Mrs. Ksenija Soster-Olmer, an individual whose support of LLL has been outstanding. Mrs. Soster-Olmer was responsible for bringing La Leche League to Slovenia where she founded a group, encouraged Leader Applicants, worked with the public and with health professionals, wrote a book, translated materials and created positive attitudes about breastfeeding.

The Award of Appreciation is also being given posthumously to Eleanor Randall who was responsible for bringing La Leche League to Europe. With her tireless translation and support she had great influence on German-speaking countries and was responsible for expanding the vision of LLLI as an international organization.

LLLI’s Award for Excellence is given to an individual with outstanding work or accomplishment in the breastfeeding field. This year’s recipient is Anna Coutsoudis for the research she has been carrying out in Durban, South Africa with regard to mother-to-child transmission of HIV. Her work has led to a better understanding and respect for exclusive breastfeeding.

Dr. Felicity Savage-King, is the recipient of the 2001 Award of Recognition which is presented to those whose independent and positive promotion of breastfeeding has captured public attention. Dr. Savage-King has authored educational materials for health professionals that are distributed in many languages, directed breastfeeding courses, and been a main contributor to the World Health Organization’s Breastfeeding Counseling Course.

This year LLLI’s Award of Achievement is given to Sharyle Patton whose actions have initiated significant change in promoting and protecting breastfeeding. She was the first to call attention to the environmentalists about the importance of breastfeeding. She encouraged environmentalists to be careful not to inadvertently lead people to abandon breastfeeding because of the way they describe contaminants.

LLLI’s Leader Award recognizes Leaders who have worked in unique circumstances to support breastfeeding and whose collaborative efforts have made a significant contribution toward helping mothers breastfeed. This year’s award goes to The Western Cape Peer Counselor Trainers in South Africa who have set up and sustained a successful Peer Counsellor programme, training hundreds of women over the past 7 years to support and promote breastfeeding in their communities.

The Founder’s Award, granted by the seven Founders of LLL, goes to an individual who has made continuous, outstanding, and exemplary contributions to breastfeeding in the world. Dr. Hugh Riordan, long-time professional advisory board member, former LLLI Board Member, and distinguished psychiatrist is this year’s recipient.

La Leche League International’s Alumnae Association present their award to individuals who have demonstrated excellence in their personal, professional, or volunteer accomplishments and who are recognized leaders in their field of endeavor. Peggy O’Mara is this year’s recipient. Peggy is founder, editor, and publisher of Mothering Magazine and author of Natural Family Living.