Book Review
Seven Voices, One Dream
by Mary Ann Cahill
Schaumburg, IL: LLLI, 2001
Available from the LLLI Online Store.
Reviewed by Diana West
Gaithersburg MD USA
From: NEW BEGINNINGS, Vol. 18 No. 6, November-December 2001, p. 222
Mary Ann Cahill, one of the
seven mothers who started LLLI, has written SEVEN VOICES, ONE DREAM
to chronicle the development of LLL from the first-hand perspective
of the Founders. Although many LLL members are aware that LLL began
with two mothers nursing beneath a tree at a church picnic, this book
goes much beyond that. It tells the greater story of very real women,
with strength and vision, as well as foibles and weaknesses, who took
on a challenge as they made the decision to establish LLL.
Mary Ann chose a very compelling
way to present this story. Over several years, she visited each of the
other six Founders and recorded their discussions. She also wrote about
her own experiences and perspectives. The dialogues were then put into
chronological order. These memories now narrate the multifaceted story
of the growth of LLL in a deeply moving way.
Through their stories, the
revolutionary vision these women shared emerges. Seven voices gently
but firmly cited sound research to contradict the erroneous cultural
belief that civilized women had evolved beyond the "primal"
need to breastfeed. They mastered the scientific information they needed
to help mothers breastfeed and appreciate the value of human milk. They
also learned how to be businesswomen so that they could operate a nonprofit
organization. They were not daunted by their lack of formal experience,
but instead relied upon their common sense and intelligence.
One of the pivotal points
that the Founders recount about the development of the new "breastfeeding
club" was the change of focus from teaching the mechanics of breastfeeding
to a more encompassing and enduring mission of supporting mothers. The
LLL philosophy developed as the Founders realized that breastfeeding
and mothering are inseparable activities. They were deeply affected
by comments from the mothers who attended their meetings who valued
the personal sharing of information and the mother-to-mother support
that helped them become better mothers through breastfeeding.
In 1956, when La Leche League began, the seven Founders were not much
different from the mothers who belong to LLL today. Like many modern
mothers, they were committed to a vision that extended beyond their
own homes, but they struggled to find time for outside activity in the
midst of caring for their families. Juggling the needs of a family and
volunteer work was just as difficult then as it is today, maybe more
so because since they did not have the advantage of computers, word
processing, spread sheets, and email. Husbands and children often pitched
in behind the scenes with their help and support (as many do now). And
just like today, mothers gathered regularly in homes and other meeting
places to discuss the benefits and how-to of breastfeeding.
When La Leche League began,
even the word "breast" was thought vulgar, let alone breastfeeding.
The Founders faced the kind of antagonism toward breastfeeding that
some women unfortunately still encounter. As the organization grew,
the Founders did not always agree with each other, just as today's LLL
members do not agree on every issue. However, their experience of working
out their differences demonstrates that disagreement can be healthy
and productive because it reveals other perspectives and necessitates
compromises necessary to meet members' needs.
The Founders spent a great
deal of time in the early years answering calls and letters from mothers
all over the world. As there was no headquarters until 1963, all of
this was accomplished from their own homes. Most impressively, these
women learned to put the needs of their families first, wisely stepping
back from the LLL commitments at times when their families needed more
attention.
La Leche League International
is testament to the passion and determination of women with a dream
of helping mothers to breastfeed their babies. LLLI could not have developed
into the resource we enjoy today if the young mothers who began it-and
the many who came after them-had not found ways to overcome the obstacles
they inevitably faced. SEVEN VOICES, ONE DREAM affirms the value of
mothering, perseverance, and the power of a few to change society.
Editor's Note: Mary White
was dismayed to find one of her children's families did not get included
in SEVEN VOICES, ONE DREAM, where the Founders talk about their families
in chapter 16. Daughter Clare and her husband, Tim Daly, live in Berwyn,
Illinois and have four children: Elizabeth, 10; Madeleine, 8; Joseph,
4; and Veronica, 1.
Last updated Friday, September 29, 2006 by njb.
Page last edited Sun Oct 14 09:30:26 UTC 2007.
