The SHARON SPRIGGS GOLDEN RIBBON
The Sharon spriggs gold ribbon award
The award was originally called the Gold Ribbon Award as breastfeeding is the gold standard of infant feeding. Our loyal and amazing Coalition member, Sharon Spriggs, passed away in 2009 and it was decided by the group to rename it in her honor. Sharon was faithful in attending almost every meeting and served as the historian. In her quiet yet determined way, Sharon influenced many of us in the breastfeeding field in South Carolina. When she wasn’t involved with Coalition work, Sharon was the Breastfeeding Coordinator for the Lowcountry Region WIC program and was very instrumental in establishing the Peer Counselor Program.
The award is given to someone in South Carolina who has gone above and beyond in protecting, promoting and encouraging breastfeeding. The candidates are voted on by members of the steering committee and announced each October. Nominations are accepted through the August Quarterly Meeting through the online application form below.
2023 Award
Naomi Hambleton, BA, MA, IBCLC
Naomi Hambleton has consistently moved lactation forward in South Carolina. She has volunteered countless hours in her 19 years as a La Leche League Leader leading meetings and organizing events, being a Professional Liaison for Leaders, and Equity Advocate, and training about 15 leaders. She has also volunteered for South Carolina Breastfeeding Coalition Steering Committee for 10 years, SC Breastfeeding Friendly Childcare Designation review committee, Baby-Friendly Hospital programs, and in the field of domestic violence. Naomi consistently advocates for marginalized individuals and groups in an effort to make lactation in the South Carolina inclusive. She is a role-model in learning and providing evidence-based information to parents and freely sharing what she knows with her fellow professionals, combining her expertise in child development with her passion for lactation.
Gold Ribbon Award Winners:
1997 Kelly Price Rainwater 2003 Thomas Payne 2020 Women’s Rights & Empowerment Network (WREN)
1998 Janice Bacon 2007 Ann Calandro 2021 Carol L. Wagner
1999 Sharada Pai 2010 Starla McGorty 2022 Jamarius ”Benji” Collins
2000 Greta Harper 2011 Rachel Miller
2001 Sharon Spriggs 2014 Lin Cook
Sharon Spriggs