by Xochitl Campos
Daily Lobo
About 50 people, including UNM students and state legislators, were honored Wednesday for their roles in making the University a more family-friendly place.
The event was held to congratulate those involved in passing a bill requiring employers to have a breast pump available for employees, student Lissa Knudsen said.
"Today's event was really to recognize what we have accomplished and recognize what we as graduate students can do," Knudsen said.
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There is a breast pump available in a private room in the Women's Resource Center, and more locations will be added, she said.
The event also focused on discussing more ways the University can improve services to families in the years to come.
The passing of the law was a long time coming, but it's only the beginning, Knudsen said.
"This is a major step of furthering women's rights in the workplace, but there is still a long way to go," she said.
Students' initiative made the bill possible, said Cheo Torres, vice president of Student Affairs.
"I'm so proud of our students for taking the lead and working through the legislative process," he said.
Knudsen did research for the bill and was influential in getting it passed, Torres said.
He said state Rep. Danice Picraux and state Sens. Dede Feldman and Linda Lopez have always fought for health issues that have improved the lives of all New Mexicans.
"You had three legislative legends who did what is right for students, staff and the community," he said.
Torres said the bill impacts older students who are usually at the graduate level.
Picraux, the author of the bill, said she met little opposition when she introduced it to the Legislature.
"The largest issue for the employer was privacy, and we explained that there is a lot of ways to improve it," she said.
This legislation will be a good way to help the children of the community get a healthy start on life, Picraux said.
"This is a huge step forward," she said. "This was a function that was not part of the workplace, so if you wanted to nurse your baby, you had to stay home."
