American Association of University Women. San Francisco branch. Baby Hygiene Committee.

Organizational History

Dedicating themselves to the study of, action on and solution of educational and social problems of communities, the San Francisco branch of the American Association of University Women has enjoyed a long history of committed social action. In May of 1909, a group of women from the AAUW formed the Certified Milk Fund Committee in order to raise a fund for providing certified milk for the babies of San Francisco's poor. Aided by local dairies, the committee successfully reduced infant mortality through their city wide drive for uncontaminated milk. In addition to supplying the milk, the Milk Fund Committee offered instruction in the care and feeding of foster babies.

They expanded their program in 1917 with the founding of the Children's Health Center. Functioning as an educational center for all mothers, the center provided care for infants, foster children and the older run about stage of growth. In the spirit of initiating projects in the interest of child health, the committee then developed programs for prenatal and postnatal care for mothers; classes and conferences; and, examinations and vaccination clinics. Concerned about family planning, they established the Maternal Health Committee in 1929 to offer instruction in birth control.

In 1918 the Committee changed its name to the Baby Hygiene Committee. Among their programs later adopted by the San Francisco Department of Health were the Well Baby Centers; Supervision of Private Boarding Homes for Infants and Children; Cardiac Diagnostic Center for Children; and, Hospital Based Postnatal care for mothers.

When the Baby Health Center closed its doors in 1945, the women of the Baby Hygiene Committee were eager to continue serving the health care needs of women and children. After much discussion and planning, they decided on a Mother's Milk Bank. They incorporated under a separate organization but the center was run by the members of the AAUW. The Mother's Milk Bank began service in June of 1948.

With a medical advisory board, ample nursing assistance and a core of volunteers, the Milk Bank opened its doors to the community. Situated in Children's Hospital, the Milk Bank served three primary services: 1) provided milk for premature and sick infants 2) sponsored research conducted with mother's milk 3) demonstrated techniques for child care. These varied services were offered free of charge.

From the guide to the Mothers' Milk Bank, Inc. records, 1945-1978, (California Historical Society)