CWLC, LAS-ELC and Simpson Thacher Urge Santa Paula School to Ensure it Provides Equal Sports Opportunities to Girls

The most recent data from the federal Department of Education, Office for Civil Rights’ website indicates that at Santa Paula High School fewer girls played sports than boys in relation to enrollment.

According to the Department website comprised of data compiled from high schools, 50.4% of students are girls, yet 44.2% of the athletic program are female participants – an approximate difference of 6%.

Support AB 1017 (Campos): Gender Pay Equity

  The Honorable Nora Campos State Capitol Sacramento, CA 95814 RE: AB 1017 (Campos) – Support Dear Assemblymember Campos: I am writing in support of AB 1017. This bill will promote fair and equal pay practices by requiring employers to advertise a job’s minimum pay and prohibiting employers from seeking salary history without a job applicant’s
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Support AB 830 (Eggman): An Act to Amend the Civil Code Related to Gender Violence

The Honorable Susan Talamantes Eggman State Capitol Sacramento, CA 95814 RE: AB 830 – Support Dear Assemblymember Eggman: I am writing in support of AB 830, which is supported by the California Conference of Bar Associations, the California Women’s Law Center and the Legal Aid Society – Employment Law Center and would amend Civil Code § 52.4 to specifically
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Support AB 913 (Santiago): Campus Sexual Assault Enforcement Coordination

  The Honorable Miguel Santiago P.O. Box 942849 Sacramento, CA 94249 RE: AB 913 (Santiago) – Support Dear Assemblymember Santiago: I am writing in support of AB 913. This bill will help protect students on our college campuses by ensuring that campus and local law enforcement have agreements in place outlining their responsibilities related to sexual
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Support AB 302 (Garcia): Pupil services: lactation accommodations

  The Honorable Patrick O’Donnell Chair, Assembly Education Committee State Capitol Sacramento, CA 95814 RE: AB 302 (Garcia) – Support Dear Assemblymember O’Donnell: I am writing in support of AB 302 (Garcia), which will clarify school accommodations for lactating students in California. This bill requires that high schools provide lactating students with access to a private room
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Pursuit of Justice Awards 2015 – Honoring Dolores Huerta, Lilly Ledbetter and Peg Yorkin

On June 18th, 2015, CWLC was honored to recognize Dolores Huerta, Lilly Ledbetter and Peg Yorkin at the 2015 Pursuit of Justice Awards held at the Millennium Biltmore Hotel in downtown Los Angeles. Thank you to those of you who attended and our event sponsors who helped acknowledge our honorees commitment to creating equal opportunities for all.

Support SB 429 (Jackson): Title IX Instructional Videos

The Honorable Hannah-Beth Jackson State Capitol Sacramento, CA 95814 RE: SB 429 (Jackson) – Title IX Instructional Videos Dear Senator Jackson: I am writing in support of SB 429 which would require the California Department of Education (CDE) to develop an informational Title IX training video to help schools and school districts become Title IX compliant. It has became
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Support SB 358 (Jackson): California Fair Pay Act

The Honorable Hannah-Beth Jackson State Capitol Sacramento, CA 95814 RE: SB 358 (Jackson) – California Fair Pay Act Dear Senator Jackson: I am writing in support of SB 358, the California Fair Pay Act, which strengthens the state’s existing equal pay law by eliminating loopholes preventing effective enforcement and empowering employees to discuss pay without fear of retaliation.
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Support AB 908 (Gomez): Strengthening Paid Family Leave

  The Honorable Tom Daly Chair, Committee on Insurance State Capitol Sacramento, CA 95814 RE: AB 908 (Gomez) – Strengthening California Paid Family Leave – Support Dear Assemblymember Daly: I am writing in support of AB 908 (Gomez). This bill will strengthen California’s Paid Family Leave (PFL) program to allow workers to take time off to care for
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The Hunting Ground

CWLC asks that you make a plan to see Amy Ziering and Kirby Dick’s most recent and incredibly powerful film about campus sexual assault. Called The Hunting Ground, it is a movie we all must see so that we can be advocates for change at our universities. Please purchase your advance tickets and bring your friends to show support
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CWLC Urges The Supreme Court to Ensure Some Judicial Review of Immigration Decisions that Keep Families Apart

On Tuesday, January 20, the California Women’s Law Center filed an amicus curiae brief urging the U.S. Supreme Court to require the State Department to provide, at minimum, a “facially legitimate and bona fide reason” when denying a visa to a U.S. citizen’s foreign spouse. CWLC argues that the visa denial implicates the citizen’s fundamental liberty interest in marriage and family; therefore, the Government must show that it did not deny the visa for arbitrary or discriminatory reasons.

Winter 2015 Update

IN THIS ISSUE: CWLC Attorneys Receive Award for Ollier v. Sweetwater, Distinguished Guest Speaker Series with Amy Ziering, Inaugural Los Angeles County Veteran & Families Stand Down, CWLC Hosts Biannual Alliance Meeting, CWLC Attends the California Women’s Policy Summit, 42nd Anniversary of Roe v. Wade Press Conference, The Global Struggle for Women’s Equality Symposium, CWLC Welcomes Michele Deane

2014: A Year in Review

IN THIS ISSUE: CWLC’s Annual “Clothes the Deal” Clothing Drive, Leading the Struggle for Equal Access in Schools, Fighting for Pregnant Students, Serving Women Veterans, New Approaches in the Fight for Reproductive Justice, Connecting Advocates with New Ideas

Fall 2014 Update

IN THIS ISSUE: Distinguished Speaker Series with Erwin Chemerinsky, Ninth Circuit Victory on Sweetwater, Legislative Session Wrap Up, Reproductive Justice Coaltion of Los Angeles Hobby Lobby Protest, CWLC Welcomes Laura Riley

From LA Progressive: What Skeletons Does Hobby Lobby Have in Its Closet?

What Skeletons Does Hobby Lobby Have in Its Closet? By Maya Paley, National Council of Jewish Women/Los Angeles This past Saturday, the Reproductive Justice Coalition of Los Angeles (RJCLA), held a protest at the Burbank Hobby Lobby store: Hobby Lobby and Contraception: What skeletons does Hobby Lobby have in its closet? Nearly 25 people came representing
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CWLC Speaker Series: The Supreme Court and Women’s Rights, with Dean Erwin Chemerinsky

Erwin Chemerinsky is the founding Dean and Distinguished Professor of Law, and Raymond Pryke Professor of First Amendment Law, at the University of California, Irvine School of Law, with a joint appointment in Political Science.

Hobby Lobby & Contraception: What Skeletons Does Hobby Lobby Have in Its Closet?

Did you know that Hobby Lobby, a corporation, opposes certain forms of contraception on religious grounds? So much that they took their protest of the ACA’s contraceptive mandate to the Supreme Court? And won?!

We think Hobby Lobby is wrong. Birth control is not our boss’ business. Join the Reproductive Justice Coalition of Los Angeles for a Halloween-themed protest at the store that is women’s worst nightmare!

California Legislative Session Ends on a Positive Note for Women and Girls

Governor Jerry Brown Signs Bills Guaranteeing Paid Sick Days, Preventing Pregnancy Discrimination for Students, Ensuring Access to Contraception and Prohibiting Sterilization of Female Inmates Among Others

LOS ANGELES – The California Women’s Law Center (CWLC) is pleased to report that California Governor Jerry Brown ended the legislative session this week by signing several bills focused on increased legal protections for women and girls in California.

LAAC Traveling Training in Fresno: Legal Issues Impacting Women Veterans

This training presented an overview of the multiple (and often interconnected) legal issue areas that currently impact women veterans, particularly those with a history of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder due to Military Sexual Trauma. Training will focus on a variety of topics, including legal standards in military medical fitness hearings, and legal barriers to housing, disability benefits, employment, and health care.

Partner Event for Women Veterans: Hey Sista Listen Up Series

On July 21 through August 1, 2014 the National Women Veterans Association of America (NWVAA) held the “Hey Sista Listen Up Series” with Miramar College. Registration was free for women veterans only. If you wanted to be a sponsor or participate, you should have contacted Angie Downing, Women Veterans Director at (619) 244-4203 or Alice McKoy (202) 765-7869.

The Supreme Court May Have Ruled on Hobby Lobby, but They Are Wrong

The Supreme Court May Have Ruled on Hobby Lobby, but They Are Wrong Laura Herrera, California Women’s Law Center Laura is currently participating in the 2014 Center for American Progress Faith and Reproductive Justice Leadership Institute I was stunned and appalled by the Supreme Court’s decision on the Hobby Lobby case, which infringes on a
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Title IX Claim against Pasadena Unified School District Settles

Title IX Claim against Pasadena Unified School District Settles Girls Now Have Real Options for Sports Participation  For Immediate Release Date:  June 17, 2014 Contact: Sara Feldman, Legal Aid Society-Employment Law Center – sfeldman@las-elc.org, 617-276-5632 Vicky Barker, California Women’s Law Center – vicky.barker@cwlc.org, (323) 951-9276 LOS ANGELES, CA. – Today, the California Women’s Law Center
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Winter 2014 Update

IN THIS ISSUE: Speaker Series – CWLC launches our Distinguished Guest Speaker Series with Erwin Chemerinsky and David Codell, Defending a Victim of Military Sexual Assault, “Cruz v. Alhambra”, Staff in the Community

Distinguished Guest Speaker Series: David Codell

Thank you to everyone who joined us on January 22nd at Latham & Watkins for David Codell on the topic of “Gender Stereotyping & Anti-LGBT Discrimination.” We had a wonderful turnout and an engaged audience.

David Codell is a nationally respected litigator who recently became Constitutional Litigation Director of the National Center for Lesbian Rights (NCLR), after having served as Visiting Legal Director of the Williams Institute, UCLA School of Law’s think tank focusing on sexual orientation and gender identity law and policy.

CWLC Defends Victim of Sexual Assault While Serving in the Air Force

December 4, 2013 Today, Cacilia Kim, the Senior Staff Attorney at the California Women’s Law Center, in partnership with Elizabeth Kristen from the Legal Aid Society-Employment Law Center, represented a 19 year-old member of the U.S. Air Force who was sexually assaulted by a superior officer while serving his country. Airman 1st Class Trent Smith was sexually
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CALIFORNIA WOMEN’S LAW CENTER ENFORCES TITLE IX, COMPELLING SCHOOL TO ALLOW PREGNANT STUDENT TO COMPLETE PROGRAM AND GRADUATE ON TIME

Date: September 26, 2013 For Immediate Release Contact: Andrew DeBlock andrew.deblock@cwlc.org   LOS ANGELES – Today, the California Women’s Law Center (CWLC) announced that Tiffany Rollins, a student in the Veterinary Technology Program at Yuba College, has successfully completed her coursework and earned an Associate of Science Degree in Veterinary Technology. Ms. Rollins was the
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New Projects Focused on Healthcare for Female Veterans

The California Women’s Law Center is excited to launch two new projects focused on the unique healthcare needs of female veterans funded by Swords to Plowshares, a non-profit veterans service organization. The funding is made possible through a re-grant from the California Wellness Foundation.

Senator Barbara Boxer Visits CWLC to Highlight Military Sexual Trauma

On May 31st, 2013, the California Women’s Law Center hosted a press conference with U.S. Senator Barbara Boxer and military sexual assault survivor, Stacey Thompson. Senator Boxer is a co-sponsor of Senate Bill 967, the Military Justice Improvement Act of 2013. The bill, authored by Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, addresses Military Sexual Trauma (MST) by removing
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CWLC Honors Sandra Fluke, The Honorable Fiona Ma, Amy Ziering and Susan Burke

The California Women’s Law Center recently honored Sandra Fluke, the Honorable Fiona Ma, Amy Ziering and Susan Burke at the Abby J. Leibman Pursuit of Justice Awards breakfast. Sandra Fluke was honored for a career advocating for women’s rights. She came to national prominence in 2012 after being denied the chance to testify at a
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2013 Pursuit of Justice Awards

On Wednesday, May 29th, the California Women’s Law Center honored Sandra Fluke, the Honorable Fiona Ma, Amy Ziering and Susan Burke at the Abby J. Leibman Pursuit of Justice Awards breakfast. Sandra Fluke was honored for a career advocating for women’s rights. She came to national prominence in 2012 after being denied the chance to
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