2018 Abby J. Leibman CALIFORNIA WOMEN’S LAW CENTER PURSUIT OF JUSTICE AWARDS Recognizing outstanding leaders and champions who are pursuing justice for women, girls and families throughout the state. Rita Hall served as a Los Angeles County Sheriff for nearly three decades. Following retirement, she created Holy Helping Hands, a non-profit organization committed to providing
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Today, survivors, activists and allies across the country are participating in Denim Day, a campaign to raise awareness about sexual violence, combat harmful misconceptions and reinforce the importance of consent.
On Saturday, April 21, 2018, CWLC was honored to host Congressman Adam Schiff, the Ranking Member of the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence, and hear his perspective on a number of pressing matters affecting our country. CWLC thanks our co-hosts the Law Offices of Victor George, Genie Harrison Law Firm and Chris Hollinger/Sleeping Lion,
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April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month (SAAM). The California Women’s Law Center recognizes that sexual violence is an unfortunate and pervasive problem impacting women, girls, and families across the country. In January, a national survey reported that 81% of women experience sexual harassment or assault in their lifetime. And, one in five women have experienced
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On Monday, the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals held that relying on prior salary to justify a pay differential between a male and female employee is illegal. The 11-judge panel unanimously ruled that relying on such prior salary information is inherently discriminatory under the federal Equal Pay Act because the prior salaries are themselves a
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Today we recognize National Equal Pay Day. The 10th of April represents how far into 2018 women on average must work to make what men did in 2017. In 2017, women on average were paid 80 cents of what men were paid. The wage gap is even wider for women of color. As shown below,
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In appreciation of Women’s History Month, the California Women’s Law Center recognizes leaders in science. We thank the women who continue to break glass ceilings and achieve excellence in their field of work. Thank you for celebrating and acknowledging some of the incredible women who deserve recognition for their work with us this month.
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In observance of Women’s History Month, this week the California Women’s Law Center is proud to recognize leaders in public service. We celebrate their hard work and appreciate their dedication to strengthening and empowering our communities. Here are more inspiring Herstories! Terri McDonald Terri McDonald is the Chief of the Los
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Tomorrow morning, the Supreme Court of the United States will hear oral argument in National Institute of Family and Life Advocates v. Becerra which is considering the constitutionality of California’s 2015 Reproductive Freedom, Accountability, Comprehensive Care, and Transparency (FACT) Act. The FACT Act was passed to address the harmful practices of “crisis pregnancy centers” which
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In recognition of Women’s History Month, the California Women’s Law Center (CWLC) recognizes leaders in the military and acknowledges their great sacrifice and achievement. Despite challenges, these women have soared in their service to our country. We are grateful for their brave and courageous leadership. Here’s to an inspiring Herstory Month!
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The California Women’s Law Center is proud to recognize International Women’s Day and our commitment to press for progress and gender equity. Created by suffragettes and first celebrated in 1911, International Women’s Day (IWD) is a global celebration to honor the social, economic, cultural and political achievements of women. IWD is also a time to
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We are excited that March is here because it is Women’s History Month! Every day, but especially during this month, the California Women’s Law Center (CWLC) is proud to recognize courageous women who have shaped our past and upon whose sturdy shoulders we stand in our ongoing fight for fairness and equality. Over the course
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On Tuesday, February 27, 2018, the California Women’s Law Center filed an amicus brief with the Supreme Court of the United States in National Institute of Family Life Advocates v. Becerra. The brief was filed in support of California’s Freedom, Accountability, Comprehensive Care and Transparency (FACT) Act, passed in 2015. The FACT Act addresses the
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Rallies Across CA Courts to Lift Up New Changes in Bail Law and Call to End Money Bail.
The California Women’s Law Center (CWLC) is proud to recognize National Girls and Women in Sports Day by celebrating the importance of fair play and honor the extraordinary achievements of female athletes. Girls who play sports are more likely to graduate, go to college, earn higher wages, have better physical and mental health throughout
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Happy Holidays to you and yours from the California Women’s Law Center staff and Board of Directors.
In peace and with respect for all, we wish you a happy and healthy 2018!
This fall CWLC filed amicus briefs in two related domestic violence appeals with a third brief to be filed later this month. The briefs were drafted by Pepper Hamilton, who represented CWLC as amicus. This effort was led by Board Member and Pepper Hamilton partner, Pamela Palmer.
CWLC was one of six organizations who filed a joint amicus brief in the United States Supreme Court in the case of Lazar v. Kroncke.
The California Women’s Law Center hosted a Speaker Series with former UCLA softball coach and Title IX champion Sue Enquist, USA Olympic beach volleyball player Lauren Fendrick, film director and author Gwendolyn Oxenham and the NBA’s first female referee Violet Palmer on October 25, 2017 at the Feminist Majority Foundation in Beverly Hills. Their discussion titled
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The California Women’s Law Center announces the release of the “HIV Criminalization and Sex Work in California” which analyzed the application of many of our state’s criminal laws related to HIV. In collaboration with The Williams Institute and the California HIV/AIDS Policy Research Center, CWLC was pleased to be able to participate in the creation of this report analyzing arrests made in California from 2005-2013 for prostitution and other offenses related to sex work.
Dedicated to advancing the potential for women and girls, the California Women’s Law Center (CWLC) is proud to share that many of the important bills we supported this legislative session have been signed into law by Governor Jerry Brown. These bills will help ensure a more equitable California for women and girls.
In 1989, Congress passed legislation designating October as National Domestic Violence Awareness Month. This month and always, the California Women’s Law Center supports victims of abuse and we continue to work to end domestic violence in California and across the country. Domestic violence can be physical, verbal, sexual, emotional or economical, and often involves intimidation.
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Yesterday, Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos signaled her intention to roll back protections for campus sexual assault victims put in place by the Obama Administration in 2011. The Department of Education’s actions are likely to discourage survivors from reporting sexual assaults and could prevent rapists from being held accountable.
CWLC’s Senior Staff Attorney Amy Poyer was interviewed by local NPR station KPCC to discuss the release of CWLC and BreastfeedLA’s “Lactation 101: Lactation Accommodations in Los Angeles County Higher Education” and the importance of accessible lactation accommodation policies in schools. Listen to the audio and read the article here!
CWLC, along with 342 other organizations from more than 40 states, signed this letter urging congress to stand with working families across the nation supporting paid family leave. Read the group letter to congress in support of real paid leave here.
Access to lactation accommodations is an issue at all levels of educational instruction. Thus, Lactation 101 adds to our previous work at the K-12 level, broadening our coverage to 107 colleges, universities and institutes of higher learning in Los Angeles County. Of the 107 institutions evaluated, only 4 schools met four or more of the
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Supervisor Hilda Solis recognized the Pico Union Project (PUP) at the Board of Supervisors meeting led on May 24, 2017. Betsy Butler, CWLC Executive Director, was proud to help introduce PUP and acknowledge the inter-faith, multicultural jewel they are and to thank them for their commitment and generosity to the community. Support and learn more
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The California Women’s Law Center was honored to recognize amazing leaders and champions who are pursuing justice for women and girls: The Actors’ Gang Prison Project, California State Senator Connie M. Leyva, and the Los Angeles Sparks. Sponsorship opportunities available.
Please join the California Women’s Law Center in supporting the City of West Hollywood’s 11th Annual Women’s Leadership Conference & Network on Saturday, May 13, 2017. The Women’s Leadership Conference features a day of dynamic speakers, panel discussions, trainings and workshops.
April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month (SAAM). Please join CWLC and our allies in raising our collective voices to support survivors and increase awareness about the fact that sexual violence is never acceptable. #SAAM2017 #SAAM
Today is National Equal Pay Day, recognized this year on April 4th which represents how far into the new year women on average must work to earn what men did the previous year. Overcoming the wage gap is difficult for all women but particularly for the vast majority of women of color.
CWLC joined thirteen other women’s rights organizations in an amicus brief opposing an attempt by seven states (Arizona, Arkansas, Kansas, Louisiana, Nebraska, South Carolina and Texas) to evade their Title IX responsibilities at state schools by claiming there is governmental immunity against such actions.
International Women’s Day (IWD) is a collective day of global celebration but also a call for gender parity. IWD honors the social, economic, cultural and political achievements of women around the world. But the unfortunate fact is that women are still not paid equally to their male counterparts, women are still not present in equal numbers in business or politics, and globally women’s education, health and physical safety are threatened every day.
Today is Asian American Women’s Equal Pay Day, which means Asian American women’s salaries are just catching up to what white men made in 2016. Compared to their white male counterparts, Asian American women working full time typically are only paid 85 cents for every dollar paid to white men.
March is a month of reflection and appreciation for women, but it is also a month of action. Please join us as we celebrate the gains women have made since our country was founded and know that CWLC will be on the frontlines to stop any attempt to force women backward or diminish our possibilities. Together, we will be successful in our mission to ensure the future is bright and full of opportunity for every woman and every girl in the nation.
The California Women’s Law Center is proud to recognize March as Women’s History Month. Every month, but especially this month, CWLC is proud to recognize the fearless women who shaped our past and whose sturdy shoulders we now stand in our ongoing fight for fairness and equality. Get involved all month long!
The California Women’s Law Center hosted a Distinguished Guest Speaker Series with Erwin Chemerinksy and Michele Goodwin of UCI School of Law on February 22, 2017 at the Feminist Majority Foundation in Beverly Hills. Their presentation titled “Forecasting Reproductive Health and Rights in the Era of President Trump” was incredibly insightful and well-attended. Thank you, Dean Chemerinsky and Professor Goodwin!
Today would have been Susan B. Anthony’s 197th birthday. Ms. Anthony dedicated her life to fighting for women’s rights, traveling across the nation fighting for a woman’s right to vote. She also campaigned for the abolition of slavery, the right for women to own property and retain their earnings, and for women’s labor organizations.
The California Women’s Law Center is honored to recognize amazing leaders and champions who are pursuing justice for women and girls at our 2017 Pursuit of Justice Awards: The Actors’ Gang Prison Project, California State Senator Connie M. Leyva, and the Los Angeles Sparks.
Each year approximately 1.5 million high school students nationwide experience physical abuse from a dating partner. Every February, advocates join together to raise awareness about teen dating violence, highlight efforts to combat this violence, and encourage others to get involved.