Artist and mother Mia Harris makes a powerful statement by adorning herself in breast milk bags, emphasizing the inadequate support for mothers in our society. Through her project, “Working Mother Suit,” Mia captures the harsh realities faced by mothers in the workplace with a strikingly candid image of herself pumping in a bathroom stall. This image serves as a stark reminder of how undervalued mothers are.
Mia returned to work just four weeks after giving birth to her second child due to a tight deadline for an art commission. During this time, she managed to pump over 14 gallons of milk. While federal law mandates a private space for nursing mothers, the reality is that these spaces are often far from ideal—think disheveled supply rooms or dirty closets. In many cases, pumping in a restroom becomes the lesser evil.
In addition to finding a suitable location, timing presents another challenge for working mothers. Although they are entitled to a “reasonable” amount of time to pump, squeezing these sessions between back-to-back meetings and tight deadlines is often impractical. Mia shared with us that being engorged while on the job can lead to serious health issues, such as mastitis. “You want to scream, you want to cry, but you have to keep it together and show no emotion because you are a professional,” she explains.
On top of managing the demands of a new baby, many mothers also deal with workplace scrutiny. Mia describes her exhausting days, noting that lack of sleep only compounds the challenges. “This kind of sleep deprivation is very taxing on your mental and physical health,” she adds.
Mia believes that mothers should have more time at home to care for their newborns. “It’s disheartening to know that most mothers do not have a choice and are forced to work full-time while caring for an infant,” she says. The United States remains the only developed nation that does not guarantee paid maternity leave, which Mia views as a significant disservice to families.
Her hope for the future is that more voices will unite to advocate for change. “I would encourage breastfeeding and working mothers to speak out against the injustices you face. Don’t hide in the shadows—share your voice loudly; we will be heard.”
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In summary, Mia Harris’s “Working Mother Suit” art project powerfully highlights the struggles working mothers face, from inadequate workplace support to the lack of maternity leave. It calls for a necessary conversation about valuing mothers in our society.