The rights and safety of women in the United States continue to be challenged. Over the last two years, the current administration has marginalized American women and girls on several fronts, and now Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos has proposed new regulations that will strip away vital protections for survivors of sexual assault and harassment
Read more…
On this Veterans Day, the California Women’s Law Center would like to recognize the sacrifice our service members and their families have made in protecting our nation. As we acknowledge our veterans for their heroism and service to country, CWLC remains committed to being an advocate for those who have bravely
Read more…
Today is Latina Equal Pay Day, marking the day in 2018 when the average wages paid to Latinas in the United States in 2017 finally catches up to that paid to white, non-Hispanic men in 2017. Nationally, Latinas working year-round and full-time in 2017 earned 54 cents on average
Read more…
In 1989, Congress passed legislation designating October as National Domestic Violence Awareness Month (DVAM). The California Women’s Law Center observes DVAM to spread awareness, share resources and support victims. Domestic violence is a pattern of abusive behavior that can be physical, verbal, sexual, emotional or economic, and
Read more…
Today is Native Women’s Equal Pay Day, which marks the number of additional days in 2018 that Native women on average must work to make what their white male counterparts earned in 2017. In California, Native women working year-round and full-time are typically paid only 57 cents for every dollar paid to white, non-Hispanic men,
Read more…
By passing the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) on September 13th, 1994, Congress confirmed that violence against women is a national crisis and effectively combating it is a national priority. VAWA created a vital network of services for female victims of violence and established specialized training for prosecutors
Read more…
Today is Women’s Equality Day which recognizes the adoption of the 19th Amendment of the U.S. Constitution granting women the right to vote. As we celebrate the great strides women have made toward achieving equality over the past century, we know much work remains to be
Read more…
The California Women’s Law Center, with co-counsel Legal Aid at Work and Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP, reached agreement in a Title IX athletics dispute involving female athletes at Sierra Vista High School in the Baldwin Park Unified School District. Girls’ volleyball players were forced to practice in an unsafe space in the gym while
Read more…
Today is Black Women’s Equal Pay Day, which marks the number of additional days in 2018 that Black women on average must work to make what their white male counterparts earned in 2017. In California, Black women working year-round and full-time are paid on average 63
Read more…
The rights of women in the United States are under attack. Over the last two years, the current administration has repeatedly taken aim at women’s reproductive rights and health care options, including allowing employers to refuse to provide birth control for their employees, cutting funding for teen pregnancy prevention programs,
Read more…
The California Women’s Law Center is disappointed by the recent 5-4 Supreme Court decision that California’s Reproductive FACT Act is likely to be unconstitutional on First Amendment grounds. Passed by the California legislature in 2015, the FACT Act sought to protect pregnant women from the deceptive and harmful practices of “Crisis Pregnancy Centers” (CPCs) by
Read more…
Today we celebrate the 46th anniversary of Title IX. On June 23, 1972, Title IX was signed into law, making it illegal for any educational program receiving federal funds to discriminate based on sex. While progress has been made since the passage of Title IX, female students still experience widespread discrimination. CWLC is proud to
Read more…
Today is the 55th anniversary of the passage of the Equal Pay Act of 1963, which amended the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938 to prohibit pay discrimination on the basis of sex. Fifty-five years later, women still do not receive equal pay. In 2017, women on
Read more…
May is National Teen Pregnancy Prevention Month. During this month, we recognize the progress that has been made to decrease rates of teen pregnancy across the nation as well as the challenges that remain. Since 1991, the birth rate among teenage girls has dropped 67 percent, and in 2016 the teen birth rate was 20.3
Read more…
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
Read more…
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,
Read more…
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
Read more…
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
Read more…
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,
Read more…
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.
Read more…
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
Read more…
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
Read more…
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!
Read more…
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
Read more…
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
Read more…
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
Read more…
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
Read more…
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
Read more…
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.
Read more…
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
Read more…