Goodwill Apologizes For Offensive Tweet About Breastfeeding Mom

Goodwill has apologized after one of their employees made an offensive comment on Twitter regarding a woman breastfeeding in the store.

“So I totally had a lady come through my line today while she was breastfeeding her baby,” the employee’s tweet read. “#OnlyAtGoodwill #SawHerNipple…I don’t like seeing t*** in a public place unless it’s a strip joint. #SorryNotSorry she shouldn’t have taken her baby shopping.”

Oregon mom Emma Ingram was checking out with her infant at a local Goodwill store when her baby decided it was time to nurse. Not realizing it was an issue, Ingram started breastfeeding her child.

Goodwill originally responded to the incident, via Twitter, saying that Ingram should have covered herself with a blanket. However, they later issued a statement on the company website.

“Goodwill Industries International respects and reinforces a woman’s right to breastfeed in public and private environments. We believe in the spirit and intent of the laws across the United States,” the statement read. “We apologize for the unauthorized and unacceptable comments tweeted by our customer service representative. Every day, Goodwills work hard to create inclusive, friendly and welcoming environments for moms, families and all of our donors and shoppers.”

Goodwill president and CEO Jim Gibbons later issued a personal apology.

“I want to personally apologize for recent events regarding how breastfeeding was handled by two Goodwill employees and express our concern for the nursing mother who was involved in this regrettable incident. The actions of these employees were completely inappropriate and each employee has been suspended.

While this event was totally unacceptable and not at all what Goodwill stands for, it has become a teachable moment to remind and reeducate all of our employees about the rights of nursing moms. Many of our own employees are nursing moms and we proudly support them when they are working.

I am concerned that this unfortunate situation will detract from the good work being done by our 122,000 Goodwill employees across North America helping to assist individuals and their families gain valuable job skills, employment and economic sustainability.

Goodwill deeply values the moms and the families we serve.”

When other mothers heard about what had happened, they issued a “nurse-in” at the same store. Goodwill even offered to provide refreshments for their demonstration, according to HLN.

What do you think about the employee who wrote the offensive tweet? Do you think Goodwill handled the incident well? Leave your comments below.

[Photo via Shutterstock]