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2024 Pursuit of Justice Awards 2024
June 3, 2024On May 21st, the California Women’s Law Center held our sold out 2024 Pursuit of Justice Awards dinner where we proudly recognized Christen Press, Tobin Heath, and the Angel City Football Club for their leadership and fearless advocacy for equal pay, gender equity and athletic opportunity. In addition to our amazing honorees, we were joined
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Civil rights orgs show support for gymnasts in lawsuit against SF School District
February 8, 2024Click here to access article by: Dan Santella Posted: Jan 25, 2024 / 06:23 PM CST Updated: Jan 26, 2024 / 12:39 PM CST SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO) — A Better Balance, the California Women’s Law Center, Equal Rights Advocates, Legal Aid at Work and the Women’s Sports Foundation cover similar ground. “The five organizations that we filed on
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Opinion: California’s paid parental leave’s faults exacerbate gender inequality
September 26, 2023Click here to access article By Phoebe Brous Sept. 15, 2023 12:09 p.m What if Barbie had a nine-to-five, three kids and no babysitter? Greta Gerwig’s summer blockbuster “Barbie” illustrates our cultural obsession with women’s “choice,” or the feminist promise that women can pursue any career while raising a family. But can women really become astronauts
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California Court Grants Restraining Order Based on Coercive Control
September 8, 2023California Court Grants Restraining Order Based on Coercive Control Click here for link to article 8/31/2023 by CARRIE N. BAKER “The judge essentially said, ‘A marriage license does not give a person permission to subjugate their spouse,’” said Lisa Fontes of the landmark ruling against coercive control, a type of domestic violence. In September 2020, California Gov.
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California Court Says Domestic Abuse Includes Inflicting Economic Harm
August 17, 2023State court broadens domestic abuse protections to include economic harm Updated: Aug. 16, 2023, 8:23 p.m.Bob Egelko www.sfchronicle.com/ Judges have long been able to order perpetrators of domestic violence to halt the abuse and stay away from the spouse or partner they were abusing. Now a state appeals court says the same rules can apply
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Press Release: California Supreme Court Rules in Boermeester v. Carry
August 4, 2023For Immediate ReleaseAug 3, 2023 Media ContactNazirah Ahmad704-290-6869ERA@emccommunications.com SAN FRANCISCO – The California Supreme Court ruled this week (July 31) that private higher education schools are not required to allow cross-examination of survivors of sexual and domestic violence in student misconduct hearings, distancing California from a Trump Administration practice that singled out victims of gender-based
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Free Legal Housing Clinic – Every Other Saturday
April 4, 2023For the past few years, the California Women’s Law Center has hosted free monthly legal clinics to help renters understand their legal housing rights and avoid eviction. As the coronavirus pandemic exacerbates financial challenges for women and families, safe and affordable housing is an increasingly urgent need.
2023 Pursuit of Justice Awards
April 25, 2023The California Women’s Law Center held our 2023 Pursuit of Justice Awards lunch where we proudly recognized University of California Chancellor’s Professor Dr. Michele Goodwin and UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador Kim Phuc Phan Thi for their perseverance and impact as advocates for women and girls around the world. We commend Michele for revolutionizing the bioethics field through legal scholarship
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Davis Youth Softball Association and Civil Rights Nonprofit Organizations Reach Agreement with City of Davis Regarding Gender-Based Equity in Community Sports
October 27, 2022FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT: Jenny Tan, jtan@cityofdavis.org, 530-400-7814 Jennifer Martinez, davissoftballpresident@gmail.com Elizabeth Kristen, ekristen@legalaidatwork.org, 415-593-0052 Harriet Fischer, harriet.fischer@cwlc.org, 323-951-1041 October 27, 2022 —As part of a settlement with Davis Youth Softball Association (DYSA), the City of Davis (City) has agreed to address allegations of noncompliance with California State Law, specifically Assembly Bill 2404 (AB 2404 or the “Fair Play in
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Handbags of Hope 2022
September 27, 2022CWLC, in partnership with Handbags of Hope, is supporting survivors this year by collecting new and gently used handbags filled with toiletries, personal care items, and a $15 gift card. The handbags will be distributed to domestic violence shelters throughout Los Angeles. To help support survivors of domestic violence and participate in our Handbags of
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California holds Social Media Companies Accountable
September 16, 2022This week Gov. Gavin Newsom signed Assembly Bill 587, a first-of-its-kind social media transparency measure. Earlier this summer, CWLC Executive Director Betsy Butler joined Assemblymember Jesse Gabriel (D-Woodland Hills), community leaders, and civil rights organizations at a press conference to advance the passage of this measure. AB 587 will establish greater transparency from social media
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California Abortion Access Website
September 14, 2022Abortion remains safe and legal in California. This morning, Governor Newsom and California reproductive justice leaders launched an important new resource that facilitates abortion care accessibility for California residents and anyone traveling to our state for care. Today, as the US Senate introduced legislation that seeks to outlaw abortion in every state, California continues to
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Supreme Court Eliminates Constitutional Right to Abortion
June 25, 2022Today, the Supreme Court released its final opinion in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization, overturning Roe v. Wade and Planned Parenthood v. Casey and eliminating the federal constitutional right to abortion in the United States. Deeply disappointing, this opinion does not come as a surprise following the leak of a draft of the decision
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CWLC and the Feminist Majority Co-Sponsor Equal Rights Amendment Study Resolution
April 6, 2022As the fight for equality continues at the federal level, the California Women’s Law Center is proud to co-sponsor, with the Feminist Majority, Senate Concurrent Resolution 92 introduced March 30, 2022, by State Senator Connie Leyva. This important resolution will direct the California Law Revision Commission to identify, and propose legislation to remedy, any California laws
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2022 Pursuit of Justice Awards
March 31, 2022The California Women’s Law Center (CWLC) is pleased to announce the recipients of the 2022 Pursuit of Justice Awards: California’s Chief Justice Tani Cantil-Sakauye and Amed Khan. The Abby J. Leibman Pursuit of Justice Award is bestowed annually and recognizes leaders who have demonstrated extraordinary commitment to the advancement of gender equality. The 2022 recipients of this prestigious award
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The Period Project with Ms. Magazine
February 24, 2022Accessible and affordable menstrual products remain out of reach for millions. California Women’s Law Center partnered with Ms. Magazine to create the #MsPeriodProject— to shed light on the states where the most work is needed to end period poverty and ensure free menstrual products for all who need them. #MsPeriodProject is a 3-part series exploring
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“A Guide to Federal and California State Sexual Discrimination, Harassment, and Assault Laws”
February 24, 2022The California Women’s Law Center is proud to announce the updated 2022 release of our comprehensive legal guide, A Guide to Federal and California Sex-Based Discrimination, Harassment, and Assault Laws (2022). This Guide identifies and outlines various claims that can be brought for sexual discrimination, harassment, and assault under federal and California state law. Designated for use by
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A Year in Review
December 9, 2021Dear Friend, On behalf of the Board and staff, the California Women’s Law Center wishes you and yours a safe and healthy holiday season. And, although we remain on high alert regarding the status of the pandemic and its variants, we hope you are able to safely gather with friends and family this year.With your
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CWLC Speaks to NBC 7 About Abortion Rights
December 3, 2021The U.S. Supreme Court heard oral argument on December 1, 2021 in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization, the first case the Court has considered on the constitutionality of a pre-viability abortion ban since Roe v. Wade was decided in 1973. CWLC Senior Staff Attorney, Chelsea Mutual, spoke to NBC 7 San Diego about the Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s
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CWLC Responds to the U.S. Supreme Court Oral Argument on Abortion
December 3, 2021
“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
October 29, 2021Earlier 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
October 28, 2021FOR 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 is Here to Help During COVID-19
June 1, 2020As we confront the known and unknown challenges of COVID-19, we recognize life is dramatically more difficult for many people today than it was just a few weeks ago. Women face discrimination on a daily basis and many are especially impacted by this crisis. The gender pay gap, the threat of domestic violence, and the
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Op-Ed in Ms. Magazine: Title IX, Women’s Soccer, and Equal Pay
July 22, 2019Read our piece featured in Ms. Magazine, Title IX Made the USWNT Win– and Their Fight for Equal Pay– Possible. Even with a massive platform, an outpouring of public support, and Nike’s highest-selling soccer jersey, the players on the U.S. Women’s National Team are still battling against pay discrimination. In more ways that one, these
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The Argonaut Op-Ed: Closing the pay gap after USWNT soccer victory
July 18, 2019Read our Op-Ed published in The Argonaut, Title IX Helped America Win the World Cup; Now It’s Time to Close the Pay Gap. Equality wins championships and access to sports can change girls’ lives. When 20 million people tuned in to watch the U.S. Women’s National Team win their fourth World Cup title, most weren’t
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2019 Pursuit of Justice Awards
May 29, 2019On 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 throughout California. In celebrating our 30th Anniversary this year, we were proud to recognize Senator Dianne Feinstein, Chris Hollinger, and Cindy Robbins at CWLC’s 2019 Pursuit of Justice Awards for their commitment to build a safer, more healthy environment for women and girls throughout the state and across the country. We thank Lilly Ledbetter, Nancy Solomon, Kathy Spillar and Dee Dee Myers for participating in the event and making our celebration even more memorable.
CWLC Releases Updated “ABC’s of Breastfeeding” Report Card
February 11, 2019Today, 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!
January 12, 2019The 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
December 6, 2018 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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CWLC’s Co-Sponsored STAND Act Signed by Governor Brown
October 1, 2018Stand 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”
February 24, 2022The California Women’s Law Center is proud to announce the updated 2022 release of our comprehensive legal guide, A Guide to Federal and California Sex-Based Discrimination, Harassment, and Assault Laws (2022). This Guide identifies and outlines various claims that can be brought for sexual discrimination, harassment, and assault under federal and California state law. Designated for use
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CWLC reaches agreement in Title IX athletics case at Sierra Vista High School
August 23, 2018The 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
August 21, 2018CWLC and the Feminist Majority Foundation 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.
2018 Pursuit of Justice Awards
May 17, 2018CWLC was proud to recognize four outstanding leaders and champions who are pursuing justice for women, girls and families throughout the state. The 2018 honorees were Rita Hall, It’s On Us, Supervisor Hilda L. Solis, and Lois Thompson.
CWLC Speakers Series: Congressman Adam Schiff
April 21, 2018CWLC 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, Inc., and our sponsors Theane Evangelis, Esra Hudson, Adam and Diana Leiden, Pamela Palmer and Rasha Gerges Shields, for making the event possible.
“HIV Criminalization and Sex Work in California”
October 19, 2017
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 Speakers Series: Women in Sports
September 20, 2017On 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)
June 23, 2017Access 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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