RantCrush Top 5: May 9, 2017

A two-month-old baby is making history in Australia–she’s the first baby to be breastfed in Parliament. “I am so proud that my daughter Alia is the first baby to be breastfed in the Federal Parliament,” said Senator Larissa Waters. This was made possible thanks to a rule change last year. Previously, children were not allowed in the parliamentary chamber, and women who were breastfeeding were given a proxy vote. But after some controversy surrounding the assistant treasurer, Kelly O’Dwyer, there were calls for change. O’Dwyer was asked whether she had considered pumping more milk ahead of time in order to not miss her parliamentary duties, which offended many women. In February 2016, the rules were changed in order to make the Parliament more “family friendly.”

So proud that my daughter Alia is the first baby to be breastfed in the federal Parliament! We need more #women & parents in Parli #auspol pic.twitter.com/w34nxWxG0y

— Larissa Waters (@larissawaters) May 9, 2017

Emma Von Zeipel

Emma Von Zeipel is a staff writer at Law Street Media. She is originally from one of the islands of Stockholm, Sweden. After working for Democratic Voice of Burma in Thailand, she ended up in New York City. She has a BA in journalism from Stockholm University and is passionate about human rights, good books, horses, and European chocolate. Contact Emma at EVonZeipel@LawStreetMedia.com.