Valedictory - JoAnne Scott
In this the twenty-second year of our profession we sadly bid farewell to JoAnne Scott, who died on Monday, September 18th, following a long battle with cancer. She will be sorely missed by the profession and by all of us who knew her personally as a gracious lady and intellectually stimulating professional.
JoAnne and other members of the Lactation Division of La Leche League International were the architects of our profession in the early nineteen eighties. JoAnne went on to serve as the first Executive Director of the International Board of Lactation Consultant Examiners and held that position for twenty years. She always believed that the IBCLC profession needed an international focus if it was to gain credibility and standing within the health professional community. Thus JoAnne brought many international voices to the IBLCE table and many countries welcomed her warmly as she traveled to speak on behalf of IBLCE and to share her vast knowledge of lactation and breastfeeding.
JoAnne also believed that to be a true professional that it was important to continue to work with mothers and babies and to this end she somehow found the time to continue in private practice after a long day at the IBLCE office. It was such a privilege to sit in on a consultation with her when her skill, knowledge and compassion were so adeptly combined.
Joanne and her husband Doug had a wonderful supportive relationship. Their children Chris and Cordia, their spouses and children will miss the frequent family get-togethers and Joanne's love and laughter. We send them our heartfelt sympathy with the hope that the knowledge of the respect and love which the IBCLC profession had for her may soften the sadness of the present and add to the celebration of the life of their precious wife, mother and grandmother.
May we as a profession never forget her!
Donations
Instead of flowers, her family is asking that you give a donation in her honor to the JoAnne W. Scott scholarship fund, which the IBLCE Board has set up. These scholarships will enable mother-to-mother support counselors to be candidates for the IBLCE exam, thus combining JoAnne's two great passions. For further information and to make a donation, please visit: http://www.milcc.org/scottscholarship.shtml.
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