By: Jarret Romanello, The St. Lucie Post
Paula Aguila, a Miami-based attorney, sat on a wooden bench in front of Judge Metzger’s courtroom on Friday at the St. Lucie County Courthouse. In three months, the expectant mother will have to balance her motherhood blessing with professional obligations.
On Friday, the Court held a ribbon-cutting ceremony for a new Nursing Room for mothers. “I like the idea. It will make life easier for working professionals,” Aguila said.
The room, located on the 3rd floor of the County Courthouse in downtown Fort Pierce will help courthouse staff and visitors.
Mothers can stop in to nurse their baby in a recliner that doubles as a workstation. The room has a microwave, refrigerator, children’s books, and nursing supplies in a comfortable and relaxing atmosphere. Funding for the room comes from the Children’s Service Council of St. Lucie County.
The Nursing Room comes after eight months of collaboration between the St. Lucie County Chapter of the Florida Association of Woman Lawyers (FAWL), the Court, and the Clerk and Comptroller’s Office.
Sara Davis of the St. Lucie Chapter of FAWL hopes that all courthouse patrons use the room, including attorneys, judges, courthouse staff, and citizens. “We hope this resource benefits the community at large for years to come,” Davis told The St. Lucie Post.
St. Lucie County Clerk and Comptroller Michelle Miller joined the public and Judges Metzger Schwab at the ceremony.
“We are most thankful for the contributions of our community partners to this endeavor and are grateful for the opportunity to help make the legal profession more accessible to women and promote access to justice,” Davis told the St. Lucie Post.
