Who cares if you've discovered an endangered species or nearly died while traveling in the African Congo to bring awareness to the elusive silver back gorillas or performed in front of thousands in the NFL....you're beautiful breastfeeding picture on Facebook was shamed by a follower and reported as nudity!
I must say this post was somewhat upsetting for me to write, because I personally know Mireya for many years and have worked with her while living in Miami. So this Traveling mom, Explorer, Author, Wildlife Correspondent for National Geographic and Primatologist, Dr. Mireya Mayor, celebrated the birth of her fifth child and daughter with fiancee Phil Fairclough by posting beautiful post-birth pictures to social media. Among those pictures she and her fiancee proudly shared were some showing her nursing their daughter. It wasn't soon after her family welcomed her daughter home the nursing photo was reported as "inappropriate" and "nudity" on Facebook.
Of her Facebook following is a mix of family, friends, business associates and fans that have followed her adventurous career as a scientist. As a passionate wildlife advocate Dr. Mayor has seen it all. Starting off as a cheerleader for the Miami Dolphins and quickly pivoting to get her Doctorate in Primatology, she has traveled and explored rain forests, deserts, mountain ranges and discovered the smallest Lemur species on earth in destination Madagascar.
Facebook is notorious for citing and sexualizing breastfeeding pictures as indecent and inappropriate exposure of skin. It's so disheartening moms are made to feel like villains just for sharing a natural part of birth and raising a child on a platform that claims to be breastfeeding friendly. Especially, when women like Dr. Mayor have accomplished so much in their career and family life.
Dr. Mayor did not take down the image because the one disgruntled Facebook "friend" reported it. She will use it as an opportunity to bring awareness to what nursing moms experience. Shaming in public, private or on social media for nursing your baby is not right. We need to continue to bring awareness to a woman's natural and federal right to nurse in public.
What Else is Travel Mom Mireya Up To?
Like I said up near my intro, Mireya is a personal friend of mine, and I'm very proud of the work she's done. I met her back in 2008 while running my charity the EDGE (Early Development of Global Education), dedicated to eco-friendly schools and environmental conservation. She reached out to me and expressed interest to get involved, and we happily welcomed her as a member of our board of directors. We honored her work and were not disappointed the least. So yes I have nothing but love and praises for my friend.
Let me give a bit more details about her. Mireya is a renowned explorer & travel mom, primatologist, wildlife correspondent, and conservation advocate. I currently see her on TV and streaming captivating audiences with her daring expeditions, scientific discoveries, and dedication to protecting endangered species and habitats. Her journey from primatologist to National Geographic explorer-in-residence has been marked by extraordinary achievements and a deep commitment to the environmental.
Her Early Life and Academic Journey
Dr. Mireya Mayor's passion for wildlife and exploration began at a young age. I lived 10 years in Miami, but she's a true born and raised Miami girl from Cuban parents. She developed a fascination with animals and the natural world early on. Her academic journey started with a degree in anthropology from the University of Miami (Gooo Hurricanes!!!!). She focused on primate behavior and ecology. Her undergraduate research laid the foundation for her future expeditions and studies in remote regions of the world. I gotta tell you that's really impressive stuff.
My girl had that thirst and desire to make a difference in conservation efforts, so she traveled from Miami to New York to get her Ph.D. in anthropology at Stony Brook University. Her doctoral research took her on a travel destination to the rainforests of Madagascar, where she studied the elusive greater bamboo lemur, a critically endangered species. If you're a parent like me, the name Madagascar rings a bell with those funny animated movies of New York zoo animals escaping and traveling to Africa. Mireya know the real deal about the place and animals though. her groundbreaking research not only contributed to our understanding of primate behavior but also highlighted the urgent need for conservation action to protect endangered species and their habitats.
Her Adventures and Discoveries
One of her most notable expeditions was to the jungles of Madagascar, where she discovered a new species of mouse lemur, the Berthe's mouse lemur (Microcebus berthae), which holds the title of being the world's smallest primate. This was crazy amazing to me. I mean, how many people actually get to discover a new species in a far away jungle on another continent?!!
So traveling from the dense rainforests of Madagascar to the frigid landscapes of the Arctic, she studied polar bears and their changing habitat due to climate change. Mireya's fieldwork has not only expanded our knowledge of wildlife biology and ecology but has also shed light on the interconnectedness of ecosystems and the impact of human activities on biodiversity (Whoah, that was a mouthful!!).
National Geographic Explorer-in-Residence
Her contributions to science and conservation earned her the prestigious title of National Geographic explorer-in-residence. In this role, she also lead expeditions, conduct research, and advocate for the protection of endangered species and their habitats. Her work with Nat Geo brought attention to pressing environmental issues and inspired people around the world to take action to preserve our planet's natural heritage.
As a National Geographic correspondent, she has appeared in numerous documentaries and television programs, sharing her experiences and discoveries with a global audience. Her storytelling skills and passion are on full display in pop culture media now. She's a full blown destination reality TV star on the very popular show "Expedition Bigfoot." I'm a big fan of this show, I love weird nature shows about mystical lores and legends. We all need a good escape every now and then.
Mireya's advocacy efforts extend beyond research and fieldwork to education and public engagement. She is committed to inspiring the next generation of scientists and conservationists through outreach programs, lectures, and mentorship initiatives. Her work exemplifies the power of scientific inquiry and exploration in shaping conservation policies and practices that benefit both wildlife and human communities. She actively collaborates with local communities, conservation organizations, and policymakers to develop strategies for protecting endangered species and promoting biodiversity conservation.
Through her work with National Geographic and other organizations, Mireya continues to push the boundaries of exploration and conservation, leaving a legacy of discovery and stewardship for future generations to build upon. Her journey as an explorer and animal scientist has been defined by her pioneering spirit, scientific achievements, and unwavering commitment to wildlife conservation. From her groundbreaking research in Madagascar to her advocacy efforts on behalf of endangered species, Mayor has left an indelible mark on the field of primatology and environmental science. Her story serves as a reminder of the importance of preserving our natural heritage and working together to create a sustainable future for generations to come.
Read more about my friend Dr. Mayor's work visit www.MireyaMayor.com.
Photo Credits: Mireya Mayor
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