In this issue:
CWLC’s Annual “Clothes the Deal” Clothing Drive
Donate your high quality business clothes to low income individuals preparing for interviews
Leading the Struggle for Equal Access in Schools
CWLC successes in Title IX litigation
Fighting for Pregnant Students
CWLC continues to support accessibility to education for pregnant students
Serving Women Veterans
The CWLC Eliminating Health Barriers for Women Veterans Project
New Approaches in the Fight for Reproductive Justice
CWLC helps to form The Alliance collaborative
Connecting Advocates with New Ideas
CWLC’s Distinguished Guest Speaker Series in review
Executive Director’s Message
We are proud to share highlights of another successful year in which we helped create a more equitable California for women and girls and we look forward to working with you to make even greater strides toward fairness in 2015.
As 2014 wraps up, CWLC is proud to reflect on our significant work on behalf of women and girls in California. Over the course of the year, we increased our state’s understanding of the health care barriers facing women veterans, continued our advocacy and support of pregnant and parenting students, and proved to be one of the most effective advocates enforcing Title IX. In addition, this year we honored California champions like US Senator Barbara Boxer and UC Berkeley Professor Nancy Lemon and hosted diverse leaders through our ongoing Distinguished Guest Speaker Series.
With your support, CWLC was able to make real change in 2014.
With gratitude and appreciation,
Betsy Butler
CWLC’s Annual “Clothes the Deal” Clothing Drive
We are hosting our annual “Clothes the Deal” clothing drive from December 15, 2014 through January 31, 2015. Clothes the Deal is a non-profit organization that provides business clothing and accessories to low-income individuals who are preparing for job interviews and work in professional settings. CWLC will be taking donations of high quality, new and used professional clothing and accessories at our office on weekdays from 9am – 5pm. We are located at 360 North Sepulveda Boulevard, Suite 2070, El Segundo, CA 90245.
If you are unable to drop off your clothes, please call us at 323-951-1041 to arrange a pickup at your location. Thank you in advance for your generous support of CWLC and our partners. Learn more about Clothes the Deal here.
Leading the Struggle for Equal Access in Schools
This year we had several landmark successes in Title IX litigation including a win in the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals in our Sweetwater case. Our clients at the Sweetwater High School District had a decisive victory in Ollier v. Sweetwater Union High School District with the higher court affirming the trial court’s decision in their favor. Since 2007, CWLC has been in litigation fighting to ensure these students have equal access as guaranteed under Title IX. With your help, we have been successful in advocating for students who would not otherwise have had representation and access to justice.
In another Title IX case, we secured a settlement against the Pasadena Unified School District on behalf of middle school girls who were denied access to the interscholastic sports program run by the district. Following our intervention, the district came into compliance with the law and increased the sports options available for girls. Even though Title IX was passed more than four decades ago, we still encounter regular complaints from students and parents. We will continue our work in the courts and with policy advocates to ensure the law is followed.
Fighting for Pregnant Students
We also continue to encounter schools that discriminate against pregnant students. CWLC has fought to ensure the law is followed and that every student is receiving an education, no matter what reproductive health decisions they make. During 2014, we assisted pregnant high school and middle school students who were not allowed to attend class solely because they were pregnant. When their schools refused or neglected to provide the schoolwork necessary for these students to stay on track and graduate, CWLC stepped in to advocate for these very vulnerable students. In 2015, we will remain vigilant and provide support to pregnant students whenever they face discrimination and are denied their right to pursue an education.
Serving Women Veterans
Each year we learn more about the unique challenges facing returning women veterans. In 2014, we completed the first stage in our project Eliminating Health Care Barriers for Women Veterans by traveling throughout California and meeting with veterans in one-on-one interviews and focus groups to learn more about their experiences and how we can assist in removing health care barriers. Because many of these women were sexually assaulted during their time serving our country, they suffer from a specific form of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) related to their assault, Military Sexual Trauma (MST). As a result, they are not comfortable receiving care alongside male veterans or taking advantage of veteran housing opportunities when men are present. We know that women veterans are more likely to be homeless than their male counterparts. It is crucial that we continue to learn about the barriers these veterans face so that we can effectively advocate for policy change that will positively impact their lives.
New Approaches in the Fight for Reproductive Justice
This year, CWLC helped found The Alliance, a new collaboration among five state-based women’s rights and gender equality centers including Legal Voice in the Northwest, Gender Justice in the Upper Midwest, the Women’s Law Project in Pennsylvania, the Southwest Women’s Law Center in New Mexico and ourselves. Formed to strengthen our collective capacity to advance reproductive justice and women’s rights in these states, this innovative approach to making change allows us to take the best policy ideas from Alliance states and advocate for change on a larger scale.
Connecting Advocates with New Ideas
Our Distinguished Guest Speaker Series continues to bring together CWLC supporters and leaders to discuss the most relevant topics relating to the pursuit of justice for women and girls. This year, our supporters have had the opportunity to hear from and speak with California Supreme Court Chief Justice Tani G. Cantil-Sakauye, Los Angeles County District Attorney Jackie Lacey and constitutional scholar and founding Dean of the University of Califoria Irvine’s Law School Erwin Chemerinsky, among others. Many thanks to those of you who joined us this year for these incredible opportunities to acknowledge and interact with our insightful guests.
Thanks to support from people like you, we have been able to make these significant strides forward. However, our work is never done and the need for your continued support is great.
During this holiday season, please consider making a tax-deductible contribution to support women veterans, young athletes and pregnant students. Our work will not be complete until our mothers, sisters and daughters are afforded equal opportunity and treatment everywhere – be it school, the workplace or when returning from military service.
Click here to make a tax-deductible gift to CWLC.
The California Women’s Law Center wishes you and yours a very happy holiday and a healthy and just new year.