In a tale that’s got the internet buzzing, a mom is getting a well-deserved round of applause for her bold stand to pump breast milk in public. Can we join her fan club? Meet Jessica Thompson, who shared her experience online after a hotel denied her request for a suitable pumping space. While attending a conference at an Embassy Suites hotel in San Francisco, she found herself in a bit of a bind when it came time to pump.
After inquiring at the front desk about a private area, Jessica was pointed toward the restroom. In her viral Facebook post, she vented, “Seriously? NO WAY! I told them I wouldn’t eat lunch in there, so expecting me to pump baby’s milk in a bathroom is just gross.”
She asked to use an empty hotel room but was met with a slew of excuses. The staff insisted that she couldn’t use a room because “she hadn’t paid for it.” Um, hello? She was a paying customer attending the seminar. When she argued this point, they countered, claiming, “We sold out this morning.” Undeterred, Jessica then requested access to an office, but was told that only the general manager had one, and she couldn’t go there either.
Let’s be clear: this wasn’t a scene out of a heist movie; she was simply trying to express her right to provide food for her baby. After much persistence, the hotel finally allowed her to use the wine cellar. While some might have taken that opportunity to indulge in a nice vintage, Jessica made an even bolder choice—she set up right in the lobby to pump! She snapped a selfie with her pumps in action, milk pooling in the bottles, and a triumphant grin on her face. Talk about a mic drop moment! She also filed a complaint with the hotel’s general manager.
The GM later apologized, attributing the mishap to poorly trained staff. It’s worth noting that while breastfeeding in public is protected in many states, there are fewer laws ensuring moms have reasonable spaces to pump outside their homes or workplaces. It’s baffling that such protections are even necessary, but Jessica’s story is a step toward highlighting the challenges mothers face. The more we shed light on these situations, the closer we get to the changes that are sorely needed.
Since her post went viral, Jessica has received countless supportive messages from moms worldwide. She expressed her appreciation in a follow-up post, stating, “Don’t mess with a mama who knows her rights and has a background in social work.” She concluded with an empowering, “Pump on!”
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In summary, Jessica Thompson’s bold stand against a hotel’s refusal to provide a suitable pumping space sparked a wave of support from mothers everywhere. By choosing to pump in the lobby, she not only advocated for her rights but also highlighted the ongoing challenges many moms face.