Warm Holiday Wishes to You and Yours
The California Women’s Law Center wishes you and yours a very happy holiday and a healthy and safe new year.
We are proud to share highlights of another successful year promoting justice and equality for women and girls in California. And with your continued support, we look forward to expanding equity and fairness for all in 2016.
Over the course of the year, CWLC led the charge to ensure Title IX is enforced in schools throughout California and we are continuing our work to make sure women veterans receive the support they need as they transition to civilian life. Additionally, we have advocated for domestic violence services, equal pay and economic security, and reproductive choice in communities across California.
Fighting for Equality in Schools
CWLC proudly maintains its role as an expert in Title IX enforcement throughout California high schools, colleges and universities. In 2015, we helped several college students navigate the grueling administrative processes that follow a report of campus sexual assault. We delivered several trainings on campus sexual assault and other Title IX issues to students, educators, and attorneys in California. With your help, we plan to expand this work in 2016.
We remain on the forefront in the fight to end discrimination against pregnant and parenting students and school employees as well. This year CWLC, in conjunction with BreastfeedLA, released a report card, which revealed that many school districts in Los Angeles County are failing to provide accommodations to lactating students and employees.
And, on the heels of our successful Title IX athletics litigation in Ollier v. Sweetwater Union High School District, we continue to work with students to ensure equal access to sports on campuses around the state. We know that athletic opportunities boost young women’s confidence and help prepare them for their future educational and professional endeavors.
Serving Our Veterans
Assisting those who have served our country remains a priority for CWLC. And as we learn more about the unique challenges facing returning women veterans, we stand ready to help with housing and healthcare issues, disability benefits, employment discrimination and criminal and traffic matters. We know that women veterans encounter legal barriers that prevent them from accessing baseline benefits and services, which leads to their disproportionally high level of homelessness. In 2015, we gave back to our brave service women and men through legal clinics, veteran Stand Downs, legislative and policy advocacy, and by educating and ensuring that veterans have access to information about their rights and the resources available to them.
Standing Up for Justice and Economic Equality
CWLC has been on the frontlines in the fight to pursue equality in the workplace for women. At our 2015 Pursuit of Justice Awards luncheon, we were honored to recognize equal pay champions Dolores Huerta, Lilly Ledbetter and Peg Yorkin. And we were active in the effort to ensure the Fair Pay Act was passed and signed by Governor Jerry Brown. We still have work to do but “We Can Do It!” We must continue to work together to advocate for equal pay, opportunity and economic security for every woman in California.
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