Betsy Butler Featured in the El Segundo Easy Reader

Executive Director Betsy Butler on KABC’s The Deciders

Click here to listen to Executive Director Betsy Butler discuss violence against women on KABC’s The Deciders. Click on The Deciders’ September 28, 2019 show to hear the interview!

25th Anniversary of the Violence Against Women Act

Today marks the 25th anniversary of the passage of the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA). On this day in 1994, Congress officially recognized violence against women as a national crisis and took steps to combat gender violence on a national level. VAWA allocated resources to create specialized training and education for law enforcement and criminal prosecutors as well
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Women’s Equality Day 2019

Today, we celebrate Women’s Equality Day, commemorating women’s hard-fought victory officially gaining the right to vote (Congress passed the law in 1919, it was ratified on August 18th and finally certified on August 26th, 1920). We recognize that women’s equality remains on ongoing effort. We encourage everyone to stay active in this fight– here are
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Black Women’s Equal Pay Day 2019

Today is Black Women’s Equal Pay Day, marking how far into 2019 a Black woman in the United States must work to earn the same amount as the average white man made last year. The gender wage gap continues to impact women of all backgrounds, and racial discrimination and bias are critical factors that have shaped Black women’s experiences in the workplace and
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Summer 2019 Newsletter

SUMMER 2019 CWLC Trainings and Community Outreach Advocating to Protect Women’s Reproductive Rights Fighting for Survivors’ Safety in the Courts Join Us! #WeAreWomen with the LA Sparks & Handbags of Hope Letter from the Executive Director When chants of “Equal Pay” erupted after the U.S. Women’s National Team won their fourth World Cup, two of
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Want to know what a Title IX fraternity hazing case means for women on campus? Read our latest article in Ms. Magazine

Check out the article here.

Our Article Featured in Ms. Magazine

Check out our featured article is Ms. Magazine. Title IX continues to change lives. CWLC is grateful to be partners with Ms. and the Feminist Majority Foundation in the fight for additional life-changing, gender equity affirming actions, policy and law. Onward! Read the article here.

Read Our Argonaut Op-Ed

Equality wins championships and access to sports can change girls’ lives. Check out our latest Op-Ed in the Argonaut. Click here to read our Op-Ed.

Read our Op-Ed Published in the LA Times

Read our Op-Ed in the LA Times. The U.S. Women’s National Team is fierce, and underscores the success of Title IX as well as the persistence of gender discrimination. Check it out here.

2019 Pursuit of Justice Awards

Thank you for Supporting CWLC’s 2019 Pursuit of Justice Awards and Recognizing 30 Years of Work on Behalf of Women and Girls! On behalf of the Board of Directors and staff of the California Women’s Law Center, we thank you for your generous support and partnership in working to secure justice for women and girls
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The Fight for Equal Pay with Activist Lilly Ledbetter

California Women’s Law Center’s Distinguished Guest Speaker Series Presents: The Fight for Equal Pay with activist Lilly Ledbetter       When Lilly Ledbetter learned she was paid less that her male colleagues, she spoke up – and ultimately prompted President Obama to sign the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act in 2009. To continue the
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Spring 2019 Newsletter

In this issue… Celebrating CWLC’s 30th Anniversary CWLC 2019 Pursuit of Justice Awards honors Senator Dianne Feinstein, Chris Hollinger, and Cindy Robbins on May 29th!  Recognizing Women’s History Month with Women Jurists Advancing Pay Equity with Lilly Ledbetter An Update: CWLC’s Breastfeeding Accomplishments Keeping Domestic Violence Victims Safe: CWLC Training Message from the Executive Director Three
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A Discussion with Women Jurists

A Discussion with Women Jurists   Special thanks to our Co-Hosts Theane Evangelis, Pamela S. Palmer, The Law Offices of Victor L. George, Jones Day, and Chris Hollinger/Sleeping Lion, Inc.                                                    
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CWLC Releases Updated “ABC’s of Breastfeeding” Report Card

Today, the California Women’s Law Center announces the release of our updated “ABC’s of Breastfeeding” report card for Los Angeles County school districts. This report card updates our 2016 publication of the ABC’s of Breastfeeding in Los Angeles County which was done in partnership with BreastfeedLA and the ACLU of Southern California. In 2015, California
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Support Students and Take Action Against Proposed Title IX Changes!

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
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Fall 2018 Newsletter

      In this issue… Fighting for Equity for Girls in Sports CWLC Releases Comprehensive Sexual Assault Guide CWLC Outreach and Trainings 2018 Legislative Summary Spotlight: CWLC Interns Title IX Victory: Fighting for Equity for Girls in Sports For the past year, CWLC has represented female athletes at Sierra Vista High School in Baldwin
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Handbags of Hope

Handbags of Hope took place on October 13 at the LASD Youth Activities League in Los Angeles. The California Women’s Law Center is grateful to everyone who participated in the 2018 Handbags of Hope event which collected more than 1,100 bags in Los Angeles and thousands more across the country. CWLC has been a proud participant
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CWLC’s Co-Sponsored STAND Act Signed by Governor Brown

Stand Together Against Non-Disclosure (STAND) Act Signed into Law in California The California Women’s Law Center (CWLC) is pleased to report that the Stand Together Against Non-Disclosure (STAND) Act has been signed into law by Governor Jerry Brown. Authored by Senator Connie M. Leyva (D-Chino) and co-sponsored by CWLC and the Consumer Attorneys of California,
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“A Guide to Federal and California State Sexual Discrimination, Harassment, and Assault Laws”

The California Women’s Law Center is proud to announce the release of our comprehensive legal guide, “A Guide to Federal and California State Sexual Discrimination, Harassment, and Assault Laws.” This Guide identifies and outlines various claims that can be brought for sexual discrimination, harassment and assault under federal and state law. Designated for use by
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CWLC reaches agreement in Title IX athletics case at Sierra Vista High School

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
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The Supreme Court: What’s At Stake

The Supreme Court: What’s At Stake?                 The Feminist Majority Foundation and CWLC hosted an informative and important conversation about the Supreme Court and the direction of the federal judiciary on August 21, 2018 with panelists Michele Goodwin, Robert Bradley Sears, Amanda Hollis-Brusky, and moderator Betsy Butler. Kavanaugh
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2018 Pursuit of Justice Awards

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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Distinguished Guest Speaker Series with Congressman Adam Schiff – April 21, 2018

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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“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.

CWLC hosted an exciting Speaker Series on Women in Sports on October 25th, 2017

On Wednesday, October 25, 2017, the California Women’s Law Center hosted a Speaker Series with Sue Enquist, Lauren Fendrick, Gwendolyn Oxenham and Violet Palmer titled “Women in Sports: Challenges & Opportunities.”

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
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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.

Insightful Speaker Series with Erwin Chemerinsky and Michele Goodwin

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!

Poverty Awareness Month and the “Aging, Women and Poverty In California” White Paper

CWLC has prioritized the specific and devastating effects of poverty on California’s aging population, and particularly its impact on our state’s aging women. In June 2016, CWLC joined the California Commission on Aging and the California Commission on the Status of Women and Girls to present a ground-breaking forum titled Aging, Women and Poverty In California. The forum brought together policy leaders and experts from around the state to discuss the looming crisis facing California’s older women. Speakers at the forum tackled issues including retirement, elder justice, housing, food insecurity, health care access, and many other pressing matters older Americans face.

CWLC Advocacy and Legislative Updates from 2016

On September 28, 2016, Governor Jerry Brown signed SB 813, the Justice for Victims Act. SB 813 eliminates the statute of limitations for rape and other felony sex crimes in California.

“Loving” Film Screening

The California Women’s Law Center was proud to co-sponsor an advanced screening of the new Focus Features film “Loving” on November 3, 2016 at the Landmark Theater in the Westside Pavilion Mall. This fantastic film is based on the seminal 1967 Supreme Court case, Loving v. Virginia. CWLC proudly partnered with the Writers Guild Foundation, GLAAD …

“Aging, Women and Poverty in California” Forum

On June 3rd, the California Women’s Law Center (CWLC) co-hosted a forum entitled Aging, Women and Poverty In California at the Skirball Cultural Center in Los Angeles. CWLC was honored to partner with the California Commission on Aging (CCoA) and the California Commission on the Status of Women and Girls (CCSWG) to discuss the priorities and perspectives that community and policy leaders should be planning for as our population ages. With 34,000 Californians turning 65 each month, the Golden State should prepare for a dramatic change in the needs of its citizens.

End the Hyde Amendment

        There are two pressing issues currently affecting women’s access to reproductive health care.  The Hyde Amendment and attacks on Planned Parenthood, which include fraudulent media smear campaigns and Congressional threats to defund the organization.   What is the Hyde Amendment? Originally passed on September 30, 1976 by the House of Representatives,
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Urge Congress to Protect Planned Parenthood

As a supporter of the California Women’s Law Center, another way I ask you to please consider supporting the rights of women and girls is by telling Congress that you stand with Planned Parenthood. Planned Parenthood is the most trusted women’s health care provider in this country, and has been for nearly 100 years. It
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Title IX Victory: Ninth Circuit Finds Sweetwater Union High School District in Violation

CWLC along with our partners at the Legal Aid Society-Employment Law Center (LAS-ELC) and Manatt, Phelps & Phillips, LLP, are excited to share another victory in our Title IX class action suit in the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals on Friday. This September, the Ninth Circuit awarded a class of female athletes, represented by CWLC
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CWLC Participates in Rally to Stop the Sultan of Brunei

On May 5th, California Women’s Law Center Interim Executive Director spoke at a rally to stop the Sultan of Brunei’s barbaric policies against women and the LGBT community.  Betsy joined Jay Leno and members of the Feminist Majority along with icons Dolores Huerta, Ellie Smeal, Lorri Jean and many others in front of the Beverly Hills
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