CHEER CHAMPion of the Week: Aledia N. Williams

Aledia Nedra Williams, a native of New Orleans, is a Breastfeeding Program Manager for the DHH-Office of Public Health Nutrition Services in Louisiana.  She received her BS in Nutrition from Southern University in Baton Rouge, completed her internship at Howard University in Washington, DC and her MS from the University of Bridgeport, CT.  Her passion “is simple but challenging, helping all pregnant women to recognize the immeasurable value of breastfeeding, and knowing that all moms choosing to breastfeed are treated equitably and are given all the support needed to continue breastfeeding until she’s ready to stop.”

Currently, Aledia is working hand in hand with a CHAMPS to accomplish the shared goals of advocating to increase breastfeeding rates and to break down barriers to quality service and care for moms and babies. She enjoys being able to make connections, network with community partners through difficult situations and continually providing support where needed.  Her biggest accomplishment thus far working with CHAMPS “has been in helping to make that needed connection with the last birthing hospital in the New Orleans area which had not signed on with CHAMPS.  That hospital was not my hospital of birth but is the hospital in my community.” In April 2015, Aledia facilitated CHAMPS leaders Anne Merewood and Kim Bugg in presenting at the Louisiana WIC and Louisiana Public Health Association conferences in New Orleans.

When Aledia is not working, she enjoys attending the New Orleans Pelican games, spending quiet time late in the evenings out on the Riverwalk, admiring the great Mississippi River while looking across at the Westbank, and having late night coffee while listening to Old School tunes.  In the future she wants to travel and volunteer in Haiti, a desire she has felt since the earthquake.   She works with her church’s health ministry and hopes she may visit Haitia with one of the doctors who takes a group of volunteers every year.  

21 years ago, Aledia gave birth to a daughter, Selina Rose, who was breastfed for 2 ½ years.  Selina owns a 9 month old, over-active Yorkie which Aledia refers to her as her granddaughter.  Her goal in life was to raise her daughter and giver her wings to fly, and one day retire knowing she made a difference in the breastfeeding landscape of LA. 

CHAMPS is here for the long haul to get the birthing hospitals to Baby-Friendly status.  Aledia’s expectations is to be around and a part of that goal and journey.   She is here to work with CHAMPS until they say of Louisiana, “Mission Accomplished.”   Thank you so much Aledia for your hard work and commitment to seeing CHAMPS prosper in LA.  Congratulations for being our CHAMPion of the Week.

Note: This post has been transferred from CHAMPSbreastfeed.org.  There was originally 1 comment.  You can view it in this document. 

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