A photo of 10 active-duty military mothers breastfeeding their babies
is being shared all over the internet. The soldiers serve at Fort
Bliss, Texas. When the photographer, Tara Ruby, put out a notice that
she’d like to take a group portrait of nursing moms, she didn’t expect
to get many volunteers. She was gratified that 10 women came, dressed in
combat boots and camo.
Ruby had been on active duty from 1997 to 2001, and back then she had
found it hard to find a private spot to breastfeed her baby during her
workday. Now, the Army has provided a comfortable new nursing room at
the base. The photographer volunteered to take some photos and donate
them to decorate the room. Ruby said, “I think it’s great the Army
is supporting active duty mothers. Sometimes, you hit a point in your
military career where you have to choose between being a soldier and a
mother, and a photo like this helps mothers so they don’t have to
choose.“
