Breast feeding test taker denied more time

DEDHAM, Mass., Sept. 20 (UPI) -- A Massachusetts judge has ruled against a woman who sued for extra break time during her medical licensing exam to pump breast milk.

Sophie Currier, a Harvard medical student, sued the National Board of Medical Examiners Sept. 6, claiming the board's refusal of her request for more than the 45 minutes of rest periods granted to all test takers violated her constitutional right to breast-feed, the Boston Globe reported Thursday.

However, Norfolk Superior Court Judge Patrick Brady said in his three-page opinion that Currier could pump her milk during the test or during the scheduled breaks.

"The plaintiff may take the test and pass, notwithstanding what she considers to be unfavorable conditions," Brady wrote. "The plaintiff may delay the test, which is offered numerous times during the year, until she has finished her breast-feeding and the need to express milk."

Christine Smith Collins, Currier's lawyer, said she plans to appeal the decision.

"Basically," Collins said, "the judge decided it's OK to tell women to wait until they are done being moms to become professionals, which as far as I'm concerned is not acceptable in this day and age."