My name is Samantha Myers, and I have been the Communications intern with the National WIC Association (NWA) since May 2025. I moved to Washington, DC, from rural Pennsylvania to attend American University, where I majored in Public Relations and Graphic Design. I was initially drawn to NWA because my mother received WIC benefits when she was pregnant with my sister and me. Growing up in a low-income, rural community made it difficult to prioritize fresh produce, which was often more expensive than unhealthy alternatives.
Coming into NWA as a WIC baby made this work feel especially meaningful, but I quickly realized how much more there was to learn. At the start of my internship, my understanding of WIC was limited to its food benefits, yet early projects like writing about NWA’s guiding principles and contributing to the Meet the NWA Board series showed me how deeply NWA and its members support families and advance WIC. In the months leading up to the 2025 Virtual Nutrition, Education, and Breastfeeding Conference (NEBF), I helped the Communications team with outreach and promotional materials, giving me a glimpse into the effort behind the scenes. But it wasn’t until attending the NEBF conference that I fully grasped the scale and impact of WIC and the important role of NWA.
What I Learned From the NEBF Conference Sessions
Two sessions stood out to me: “The Father Factor: Unlocking Family Support for Breastfeeding,” which highlighted the importance of fathers' playing an important role in contributing to child development and breastfeeding support and “First Bites, Lasting Impact: Building a Foundation for Adventurous Eating,” which explored how early food experiences shape our eating eating habits. Hearing from also Father’s Incorporated helped me have a better understanding of how WIC encourages the whole family to support breastfeeding by building strong support systems. The insights shared by Nimali Fernando also reinforced how much of my early experiences influence my relationship with food.
You Can Experience the NEBF Too - Access the Recordings
If you weren’t able to attend the 2025 Virtual NEBF Conference live, you can still access the session recordings and experience the same conversations and insights that made the conference so impactful for me. The recordings are now available at half off (originally $399, now $199) and can be accessed through May 8, 2026. They offer the opportunity to hear directly from WIC experts, revisit meaningful sessions, and explore topics at your own pace.
How NWA Helped Me See WIC’s Work Up Close
Hearing WIC participants and staff testimonies showed me the range of resources WIC provides, from breastfeeding education to nutrition counseling to culturally responsive support and care. Helping with the planning and attending the NEBF conference gave me a deeper understanding of NWA’s leadership support for WIC and how essential WIC is in shaping the lives of infants and children to support the development of healthy futures.