Women’s Health

2018 Amicus Briefs Summary

In 2018, CWLC participated in thirty-three amicus briefs addressing a variety of legal issues affecting justice and equality for women and girls. This summer CWLC filed a brief with the Supreme Court of the United States in support of California’s FACT Act, a law pertaining to the limited and harmful practices that “crisis pregnancy centers”
Read more…

Reproductive Rights: California vs. Trump (2018)

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, and defunding global programs that
Read more…

Webinar Training – “The FACT Act Decision and the U.S. Supreme Court’s Impact on the Future of Reproductive Health Care” (2018)

The California Women’s Law Center and UC Irvine School of Law Professor Michele Goodwin presented an important webinar about the U.S. Supreme Court’s recent NIFLA v. Becerra decision regarding California’s FACT Act. The webinar addressed the reasons the FACT Act was implemented, its application to “crisis pregnancy centers” in California, and the Supreme Court’s ruling
Read more…

Webinar Training: “The Rights of Pregnant and Parenting Students and Employees at CA Schools” (2018)

This informational webinar discusses the rights of pregnant and parenting employees and students in California’s schools, including an overview of pregnancy leave rights and legally required accommodations for pregnancy and lactation.

2017 Amicus Briefs Summary

In 2017, CWLC participated in thirty amicus briefs addressing a variety of legal issues affecting justice and equality for women and girls.  These briefs were filed in the California Court of Appeal, the California Supreme Court, multiple federal District and Circuit courts, and even the United States Supreme Court. The issues addressed by the briefs included Title IX campus sexual assault and cyber harassment, women’s reproductive health, domestic violence, LGBTQ employment discrimination, pregnancy discrimination, and transgender veterans.

“HIV Criminalization and Sex Work in California” (2018)

The California Women’s Law Center announces the release of “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
Read more…

Webinar Training- “The Rights of Pregnant and Parenting Students” (2017)

The California Women’s Law Center and BreastfeedLA offered this training opportunity about Title IX and California law as it applies to pregnant and parenting students. Presenters: Amy Poyer, California Women’s Law Center Arissa Palmer, BreastfeedLA *1 hour general CLE credit available. Please contact CWLC at cwlc@cwlc.org for more information.

Lactation 101: Lactation Accommodations in Los Angeles County Higher Education (2017)

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…

Training: “The Rights of Pregnant and Parenting Students Under Title IX and California Law” (2016)

This informational webinar reviewed the laws protecting pregnant and parenting students in California to enable practitioners to identify and remedy these harmful forms of discrimination, shared the results of the ABC’s of Breastfeeding Report Card grading lactation accommodations in K-12 schools in Los Angeles County, and discussed next steps in expanding the impact of the report card.

2016 Amicus Briefs Summary

In 2016, CWLC participated in eighteen amicus briefs addressing a variety of legal issues affecting justice and equality for women and girls. These briefs were filed in the California Court of Appeal, the California Supreme Court, multiple federal District and Circuit courts, and even the United States Supreme Court. The issues addressed by the briefs included women’s reproductive health, domestic violence, LGBTQ employment discrimination, pregnancy discrimination, and discriminatory enforcement of prostitution offenses.

Gender Discrimination in Education – Pregnancy and Parenting (2016)

A brief overview on gender discrimination in education, focused specifically on the application of Title IX to pregnant and parenting students, including helpful frequently asked questions.

Of the States, By the States, For the States: Strategies and Tools for Gender Equality (2015)

Created through The Alliance, this resource document presents a compilation of the Alliance’s state advocacy strategies, models, and resources in two priority areas: advancing abortion policy and combatting religious refusals. This first edition chronicles tangible abortion and refusals advocacy efforts on the ground in our states with links to concrete advocacy tools, such as bills
Read more…

The Road Ahead: Gender Equality After Hobby Lobby (2015)

Created through The Alliance, this report focuses on the Supreme Court’s decision on Burwell v. Hobby Lobby. It is intended to serve as a resource for state and national colleagues who recognize the struggle for women’s rights, LGBTQ rights, full gender equality, and social justice itself can be won only through creative and concerted advocacy.

Aging, Women, and Poverty in California: We Must Do More (2016)

On June 3, 2016, the California Women’s Law Center (CWLC) partnered with the California Commission on Aging and the California Commission on the Status of Women and Girls to co-host the “Aging, Women, and Poverty in California” forum. This policy paper summarizes the key issues facing poor older women in California as well as serves
Read more…

ABCs of Breastfeeding Report Card (2015 and 2016)

In 2015, the ACLU of Southern California, BreastfeedLA (The Breastfeeding Task Force of Greater Los Angeles) and CWLC released a report card on the state of lactation accommodations for students and employees in Los Angeles County schools. The 2015 report found the average grade across all schools was a “D.” A year later, this same
Read more…

Aging, Women, and Poverty In California Forum Documents (2016)

On June 3, 2016, the California Women’s Law Center (CWLC) partnered with the California Commission on Aging and the California Commission on the Status of Women and Girls to co-host the “Aging, Women and Poverty in California” forum.  The Forum focused on the priorities and perspectives that community and policy leaders need to address as our population
Read more…

Pregnant Students and Confidential Medical Services Policy Brief (2013)

This CWLC policy brief outlines the rights of pregnant teens in California regarding their ability to consent to all medical care related to their pregnancy. This right extends to other limited, specified medical conditions – usually those that involve sexual activity and other sensitive and personal matters.

Educational Rights of Pregnant & Parenting Teens: Title IX & CA State Law Requirements (2012)

This CWLC policy brief explores Title IX, specifically the explicit protections for pregnant and parenting students. Coupled with state law protections that both mirror and expand on Title IX, California provides pregnant teens with important legal tools to combat discrimination and harassment in schools

Sisters in Control (2007)

CWLC collaborated with five community-based organizations in Los Angeles County to develop Sisters in Control, a resource guide and public education campaign which provided birth control information through a reproductive justice lens specifically for women of color, immigrant women, and adolescent girls.

Girls Participation in Sports: An Important Tool in Teen Pregnancy Prevention (2002)

One of the proven benefits of sports activity that has too often been overlooked is the relationship between participation in sports and teen pregnancy prevention. This CWLC policy brief highlights the relationship between these two issues and the barriers that have prevented sports from being utilized as an important tool in teen pregnancy prevention.

Older Women’s Health Resource Guide: Learning to Demand and Receive Better Care (2006)

This guide was created to provide basic and general information about your rights regarding your ability to receive quality health care and what steps you can take if you believe you are not able to receive the care you need. It is meant to educate and empower you to know the law, demand your rights
Read more…

The Civil Rights of Pregnant and Parenting Teens in California Schools (2002)

This CWLC policy brief was created to educate the public about the civil rights of pregnant and parenting teens and to encourage schools to adopt policies that protect teens’ rights.

The FACT Act Decision and the U.S. Supreme Court’s Impact on the Future of Reproductive Health Care

CWLC and Professor Michele Goodwin presented an important webinar about the U.S. Supreme Court’s recent NIFLA v. Becerra decision re CA’s FACT Act.

Supreme Court Strikes Down California’s Reproductive FACT Act in Attack on Women’s Reproductive Rights

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…

Winter 2018 Newsletter

In this issue…   CWLC 2018 Pursuit of Justice Awards honors Rita Hall, It’s On Us, LA County Supervisor Hilda L. Solis and Lois Thompson on May 17    Speaker Series with Congressman Adam Schiff    March is Women’s Herstory Month    “Equal Pay” in 2018    CWLC Welcomes Kim Nakamaru   2018 Pursuit of
Read more…

CWLC Fighting for Women’s Health at the Supreme Court

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…

Senate Bill 320 (Leyva) – College Student Right to Access Act

CWLC supports SB 320, which will secure students’ access to reproductive health services at public universities by providing medication abortion at student health centers. Read SB 320 Letter of Support. Read SB 320 Assembly Appropriations Letter of Support. Read SB 320 Letter Urging Signature. SB 320 was vetoed by the Governor on September 30, 2018.   

Roe at 45: When Rights ≠ Access

CWLC is proud to be a co-sponsor of “Roe at 45: When Rights ≠ Access.”

2017 Year End Letter

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!

Fall 2017 Newsletter

  In this issue…   CWLC Speaker Series: Champions In Sports   CWLC’s Trainings and Community Outreach   Weighing In: CWLC’s Amicus Briefs   California Report on Women, HIV and Sex Work   Welcome CWLC’s New Board Member, Stacey Armato     CWLC Speaker Series: Female Athletes Leading The Way     On October 25,
Read more…

“HIV Criminalization and Sex Work in California”

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.

Summer 2017 Newsletter

In this issue… 2017 Annual Pursuit of Justice Awards, Teen Dating Violence Brochure, CWLC’s Beach Cities Legal Housing Clinics, CWLC Releases: Lactation 101 Report, Join Us: LA Sparks #WeAreWomen game on August 27th, and more!

Breastfeeding Advocacy 101 Training

CWLC co-sponsored a breastfeeding advocacy training on Thursday, August 31, 2017.

Webinar: “Teen Dating Violence: Detect, Address and Prevent”

CWLC hosted a Teen Dating Violence training on Thurs. July 27, 2017

“Lactation 101” in Local News

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!  

Lactation 101: Lactation Accommodations in Los Angeles County Higher Education (2017)

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…

2017 Pursuit of Justice Awards

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.

West Hollywood Women’s Leadership Conference

The Women’s Leadership Conference featured a day of dynamic speakers, film screening and reception, compelling panel discussions, expert-led trainings, interactive workshops, keynote luncheon, exhibitor hub area, and so much more! It was an exciting daylong event geared toward women who live, work and play in West Hollywood.

Training: “The Rights of Pregnant and Parenting Students Under Title IX and California Law”

This informational webinar reviewed the laws protecting pregnant and parenting students in California to enable practitioners to identify and remedy these harmful forms of discrimination, shared the results of the ABC’s of Breastfeeding Report Card grading lactation accommodations in K-12 schools in Los Angeles County, and discussed next steps in expanding the impact of the report card.

West Hollywood Women’s Leadership Conference

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.