Women’s Health

CWLC Responds to the U.S. Supreme Court Oral Argument on Abortion

“Will this institution survive the stench that this creates in the public perception that the Constitution and its reading are just political acts?” – U.S. Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor The U.S. Supreme Court heard oral argument yesterday in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization, the first case the Court has considered on the constitutionality of
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New Report on Crisis Pregnancy Centers Featured in Ms. Magazine

Earlier this week CWLC and our partners at The Alliance: State Advocates for Women’s Rights and Gender Equality released a new report on the deceptive practices of crisis pregnancy centers (CPCs). “Designed to Deceive: A Study of the Crisis Pregnancy Center Industry in Nine States” analyzes the activities and funding sources of CPCs which notes
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Report Shows Anti-Abortion CPCs Receive Federal and State Funding to Mislead Clients, Provide Few Services

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: October 28, 2021 CONTACT: Betsy Butler, betsy.butler@cwlc.org, 323-951-1041 Los Angeles, CA – The California Women’s Law Center (CWLC) partnered with The Alliance: State Advocates for Women’s Rights and Gender Equality (The Alliance) on a newly-released report exposing how one anti-abortion strategy has been quietly unfolding for decades in states across the country,
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CWLC and our allies publish a piece in BMJ Sexual & Reproductive Health Journal about Crisis Pregnancy Centers

CWLC is participating in a coalition of state-based law and national policy centers working to ensure equitable access to evidence-based reproductive health care and efforts to secure transparency and accountability in government-funded programs for pregnant people.  On August 27th, a piece written by CWLC and our allies was published in the BMJ Sexual & Reproductive Health Journal
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CWLC Report: HIV Criminalization and Sex Work in California (2017)

In collaboration with The Williams Institute and the California HIV/AIDS Policy Research Center, CWLC helped bring attention to the discriminatory treatment of female sex workers in California. As part of this effort, we participated in the creation of a report analyzing arrests made in California from 2005-2013 for prostitution and other offenses related to sex
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CWLC Forum: Aging, Women, and Poverty In California (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
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Recognizing Women’s Health Week 2020

This is National Women’s Health Week, an opportunity to recognize the ongoing need to make the health of women and girls a priority. Now more than ever, we must acknowledge the deep inequalities that have been illuminated by the coronavirus. Around the country, Black and Latinx people are contracting and dying of COVID-19 at a
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Reproductive Rights During COVID-19

Coronavirus continues to expose deep injustices in our society, including our health care system, where inequalities are being compounded by ideological interference. Unfortunately, many states are using COVID-19 as an excuse to limit access to abortion by including it among other “elective surgeries” that have temporarily been banned during the pandemic. While many courts have blocked
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47 Years of Roe

Today is the 47th anniversary of Roe v. Wade, the landmark U.S. Supreme Court decision that affirmed a woman’s constitutional right to abortion. While abortion may feel like a partisan political issue today, this 7-2 decision was decided by a Supreme Court comprised of a majority of Justices appointed by Republican presidents. In fact, five of
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Hyde Amendment Anniversary

Dear First Name, Today is the 43rd anniversary of the Hyde Amendment, which prohibits the use of federal funding to pay for abortion services. By denying women who rely on Medicaid from having equal access to health care and reproductive options, the Hyde Amendment punishes women who are already economically vulnerable.  At CWLC, we continue
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The FACT Act Decision and the US Supreme Court’s Impact on the Future of Reproductive Health Care (2018)

The webinar will address the reasons the FACT Act was implemented, its application to “crisis pregnancy centers” in California, and the Supreme Court’s ruling that the Act is likely unconstitutional. We will also discuss the future of reproductive rights in California and beyond in the wake of the decision.

The Rights of Pregnant and Parenting Students and Employees in CA Schools (2018)

This webinar will discuss 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.

Webinar – The Rights of Pregnant and Parenting Students (2017)

Learn about the rights that pregnant and parenting students have under Title IX and California law.

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 regarding California’s FACT Act. We addressed the reasons the FACT Act was implemented, its application to “crisis pregnancy centers” in California, the Supreme Court’s ruling, and the future of reproductive rights in the wake of this decision.

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
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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
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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” alongside the National Council of Jewish Women and the City of West Hollywood.

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,
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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.

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.

Teen Dating Violence: Detect, Address, and Prevent (webinar training)

Our informational webinar discussed the problem of teen dating, the current federal, state, and local legislation addressing teen dating violence, and what further steps can and should be taken to combat teen dating violence. By addressing the issue of sexual violence early and effectively, we can work towards a healthier and safer future for our youth.

“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
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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.

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.

The Rights of Pregnant and Parenting Students Under Title IX and California Law (webinar training)

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.

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

The California Women’s Law Center supports SB 320, the College Student Right to Access Act, introduced by Senator Leyva, which will secure students’ access to reproductive health services at public universities and colleges by providing medication abortion at student health centers that receive state funding. Read SB 320 Letter of Support SB 320 was introduced
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Senate Bill 743 (Hernandez) – Freedom of Choice in Family Planning Act

The California Women’s Law Center supports SB 743, the Freedom of Choice in Family Planning Act, introduced by Senator Hernandez, which would ensure that Medi-Cal managed care enrollees continue to maintain flexibility in choosing family planning providers in the event that the federal “free choice of provider law” is repealed. Read SB 743 Letter of Support
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Assembly Bill 569 (Gonzalez Fletcher) – Reproductive Health Nondiscrimination Act

CWLC supports AB 569, the Reproductive Health Nondiscrimination Act (RHNDA), introduced by Assemblymember Gonzalez Fletcher, which would ensure that California’s workers are protected against workplace discrimination that is based on their personal reproductive health care decisions, such as using in vitro fertilization or birth control. Read AB 569 Letter of Support AB 569 was vetoed
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Senate Bill 282 (Wiener) – The Reducing Hunger Among Vulnerable Californians Act of 2017

CWLC supports Senate Bill 282, introduced by Senator Wiener, which would increase access to prepared food for low income, homeless, elderly and disabled Californians, and will create job opportunities for childless homeless adults. Read AB 282 Letter of Support SB 282 was approved by the Governor on September 28, 2017. 

Winter 2017 Update

In this issue… Distinguished Speaker Series with Erwin Chemerinsky and Michele Goodwin, CWLC to honor The Actors’ Gang Prison Project, State Senator Connie M. Leyva and the Los Angeles Sparks: 2017 Pursuit of Justice Awards – May 16, 2017, Policy Brief Released: “Aging, Women and Poverty In California,” Join Us: Upcoming Title IX Webinars, CWLC Welcomes New Board Members, and much more!

Rally & Walk for Equality

The Feminist Majority Foundation, CWLC and various sponsors and supporters attended the Rally & Walk for EQUALITY on March 26, 2017.

International Women’s Day – March 8, 2017

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.

CWLC Celebrates Women’s History Month

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.

Women’s History Month Events

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!

Senate Bill 63 (Jackson) – New Parent Leave Act

The California Women’s Law Center supports SB 63, introduced by Senator Jackson, which would provide more California employees with job-protected parental leave for up to 12 weeks. Read SB 63 Support Letter SB 63 was approved by the Governor on October 12, 2017.