University of Arkansas alumna Stacy Lewis is a star on the LPGA tour, with 12 tour wins and two major championships under her belt. And thanks to The J.M. Smucker Company LPGA Child Development Center, she can be a full-time working mom as well, bringing her baby daughter Chesnee along for the ride.
The center is celebrating its 25th anniversary on the LPGA tour, giving athletes the peace of mind to compete as the traveling childcare program watches over their youngest fans. The Smucker Child Development Center opened in 1993 as the first traveling childcare center in sports.
“Our sponsorship of the Child Development Center is a reflection of our commitment to thriving families and kids,” said Jill Penrose, senior vice president, Human Resources and Corporate Communications at The J.M. Smucker Company. “We applaud the LPGA for its vision to launch this program and dedication to maintain it.”
“As a tour, we want to be as athlete-friendly and mom-friendly as we possibly can,” said Kelly Schultz, senior director of communications at the LPGA. “We don’t want our players to have to choose between being a mom and pursuing the career they have wanted or being the athletes they know they can be.”