Mara, who is one of the finalists of the SI Swim Search fashion show, is breastfeeding her 5-month-old daughter while walking the runway at the W Hotel in South Beach, Miami.

• Jul 17, 2018

AceShowbiz - The 2018 Sports Illustrated Swim Search show was supposed to be all about bikini bodies, but that wasn't necessarily the case. The magazine, which is famous for its annual Swimsuit Issue, was championing motherhood and breastfeeding at its recent model casting competition.

Mara Martin, who was one of 16 finalists in the Swim Search show, was breastfeeding her 5-month-old daughter Aria while strutting her stuff on the catwalk. The new mom walked the runway in a gold two-piece bikini at the event held as a part of Miami Swim Week on Sunday, July 15 at the W Hotel in South Beach, Miami.

Her appearance with her baby drew loud cheers and applause from the audience. Sports Illustrated shared on its Instagram account a video of Mara walking the runway while carrying her baby. The comment section was flooded with messages praising the mum for normalizing breastfeeding at work.

GIRL POWER! 🙌🏼 #SISwimSearch Sweet 16 finalist Mara walks the runway while breastfeeding her five-month-old baby. @paraisofashionfair

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Sebuah kiriman dibagikan oleh Sports Illustrated Swimsuit (@si_swimsuit) pada 15 Jul 2018 jam 7:38 PDT

Mara also shared her photos with her daughter on the catwalk on her own Instagram page. "I can't believe I am waking up to headlines with me and my daughter in them for doing something I do every day. It is truly so humbling and unreal to say the least. I'm so grateful to be able to share this message and hopefully normalize breastfeeding and also show others that women CAN DO IT ALL!" she wrote in the caption.

Wow! WHAT A NIGHT! Words can’t even describe how amazing I feel after being picked to walk the runway for @si_swimsuit. Anyone who knows me, knows it has been a life long dream of mine. I can’t believe I am waking up to headlines with me and my daughter in them for doing something I do every day. It is truly so humbling and unreal to say the least. I’m so grateful to be able to share this message and hopefully normalize breastfeeding and also show others that women CAN DO IT ALL! But to be honest, the real reason I can’t believe it is a headline is because it shouldn’t be a headline!!! My story of being a mother and feeding her while walking is just that. Last night there are far more deserving headlines that our world should see. One woman is going to boot camp in two weeks to serve our country (sorry i don’t know your IG handle 🤦🏽‍♀️), one woman had a mastectomy (@allynrose), and another is a cancer survivor, 2x paralympic gold medalist, as well as a mother herself (@bren_hucks you rock) Those are the stories that our world should be discussing!!!! Just thinking about all that was represented there... I desperately need to give the most thanks to @mj_day for this. She supported me in what I did last night. Without her support this wouldn’t even be discussed!!!! She and the entire Sports Illustrated family are the most amazing and incredible team to have worked with. THANK YOU for letting all 16 of us be our true selves, strong beautiful women!!! Because of you, my daughter is going to grow up in a better world, where she will always feel this way!!!!!! Lastly, to every single woman that rocked that runway with me. Be proud. I know I am of you! You all have inspired me in ways unimaginable. I love you all!!! #siswimsearch

Sebuah kiriman dibagikan oleh Mara Martin (@_maramartin_) pada 16 Jul 2018 jam 8:32 PDT

She used the opportunity to raise awareness of other important issues. "But to be honest, the real reason I can't believe it is a headline is because it shouldn't be a headline!!! My story of being a mother and feeding her while walking is just that," she added. "Last night there are far more deserving headlines that our world should see. One woman is going to boot camp in two weeks to serve our country (sorry i don't know your IG handle), one woman had a mastectomy (@allynrose), and another is a cancer survivor, 2x paralympic gold medalist, as well as a mother herself (@bren_hucks you rock) Those are the stories that our world should be discussing!!!! Just thinking about all that was represented there..."

For the last few years, Sports Illustrated has been trying to change the traditional beauty standards by featuring plus-size models on its cover. The magazine also supports gender equality by championing female photographers behind the lens.