​Each year the U.S. Breastfeeding Committee (USBC) offers a limited number of awards to celebrate the work and support the participation of breastfeeding advocates and leaders at the National Breastfeeding Conference and Convening (NBCC).  

These awards are one component of the USBC's ongoing efforts to recognize and promote individuals who dedicate their service to making breastfeeding and human milk feeding a viable option for most families. Preference is typically given to individuals who have not participated in a past USBC conference, and for whom attendance might not be possible without the award. The application deadline is Sunday, March 12, 2023, at 11:59 pm PT. 

Award Categories

Hamlin-Taylor Emerging Leader Award
The Hamlin-Taylor Emerging Leader Award was renamed in 2023 to honor Mona Lisa Hamlin and Emily Taylor and recognizes early or emerging leaders (serving <10 years) who are actively involved in the protection, promotion, and support of breastfeeding and human milk feeding so that it is a viable option for mothers and lactating parents. Active members of state, territorial, tribal, local, or cultural breastfeeding coalitions in the United States are encouraged to apply.

Native Knowledge Award
The Native Knowledge Award honors talented and dedicated individuals who identify as American Indian/Native American, Native Hawaiian, and Alaska Native and are actively involved in the protection, promotion, and support of breastfeeding and human milk feeding so that it is a viable option for mothers and lactating parents.

Cultural Changemaker Award
The Cultural Changemaker Award celebrates leaders and members of cultural breastfeeding coalitions and community-based organizations actively engaged in the protection, promotion, and support of breastfeeding and human milk feeding for mothers and lactating parents in priority populations, as defined by the USBC. Preference will be given to individuals who identify as members of priority populations, as defined by the USBC.

Application Submission Process

1. Navigate to the Awards application. We recommend reading about each award and reviewing the terms before beginning an application. Download a PDF version of the questions within the application if you would like to view them ahead of time.
2. Select your application format. This year, applicants will have the opportunity to complete the essay portion of the application in either a standard written format OR video format. The instructions and access link for submitting video responses can be found at the top of the application form. 
3. Complete your application.

The application deadline is Sunday, March 12, 2023, at 11:59 pm PT.

Apply for an award

Award Review Process & Scoring Criteria

Each application will be reviewed by at least 3 members of the Awards Committee.
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Q: What is the review committee looking for in an awardee this year? 

• Applicant Diversity: Is the applicant representative of a priority population (e.g., BIPOC, LGBTQ+)?
• Coalition Membership: How involved is the applicant in the coalition they are affiliated with?
• Leadership Aspiration: Is the applicant an aspiring leader within their community
• Community Impact: How has the applicant protected, promoted, and supported breastfeeding?
• Equity and Inclusion: Does the applicant serve a priority population with historically low breastfeeding rates? Is their work intentionally inclusive of the priority population being served?
• Goals: How does attending this conference meet the applicant’s personal and career goals?
• Knowledge Transfer: Does the applicant have well-developed plans for sharing and disseminating what is learned?
• USBC Engagement: In what ways would the applicant like to extend their involvement in USBC?
• Financial Assistance: Is this applicant facing any financial barriers to attending the conference this year?
• Past Attendance: Has the applicant attended the conference before?        

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Q: Is it a requirement to be a member of a coalition to apply for an award? 
A: The Hamlin-Taylor Emerging Leader Award will preference individuals involved in a state, territorial, local, tribal, or cultural coalition. All other awards will not. 
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Q: Does an applicant need to have lactation support provider credentials to apply for an award?
A: There is no requirement for an applicant to have lactation support provider credentials, or any other credentials to apply to any of the award categories. All lactation advocates are invited to apply. Please see the descriptions above regarding award category eligibility. 

Please direct questions to conference@usbreastfeeding.org.