Newsletters

Read our quarterly newsletters to learn more about CWLC’s current litigation efforts, policy priorities, upcoming trainings, and events.  Sign up to receive these and other updates by email!

“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!  

Summer Update 2016

IN THIS ISSUE… 2016 Annual Pursuit of Justice Awards, “Aging, Women and Poverty In California” Forum, CWLC and LA Sparks #WeAreWomen Campaign, CWLC Participates in the First United State of Women Summit, CWLC Celebrates Title IX 43rd Anniversary at the Getty House, CWLC Advocacy and Legislative Update, Erika Norman joins CWLC Board, Amy Poyer joins CWLC Staff, Executive Director’s Message

CWLC Honors Pat Summitt

On Tuesday, legendary basketball coach Pat Summitt passed away at the age of 64 after a five-year battle with early-onset Alzheimer’s. Pat Summitt’s greatness transcends gender: she is the most victorious coach in college basketball, men’s or women’s. She finished her career in 2012 with 1,098 total wins (and a .913 winning percentage) and was the head coach of the University of Tennessee’s Lady Vols for 38 years. She led the team to 22 Final Four appearances, 8 National Championships, and 112 NCAA tournament victories. Every one of the 161 players coached by Summitt graduated, a perfect graduation rate that is unparalleled by any other coach in any sport. When asked what statistic she was most proud of, Coach Summitt always answered “161.”

CWLC Winter Update

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
Read more…

Santa Paula High Applauded for Its Title IX Response

One of the first things Alfonso Gamino did after being hired as the Superintendent of the Santa Paula Unified School District in 2013 was review facilities.

Gamino heard complaints regarding the girls locker rooms at Santa Paula High, and personally went to inspect them.

He saw just how badly they needed to be upgraded to match the newer boys locker rooms.

Senator Leyva: Eliminate Statute of Limitations for Rape

SACRAMENTO – In order to ensure justice for victims and survivors of felony sexual offenses, Senator Connie M. Leyva (D-Chino) today announced that—when the California State Senate reconvenes in early January—she will introduce legislation to end the statute of limitations for rape and related crimes.

Specifically, this legislation will seek to allow the indefinite criminal prosecution of rape, sodomy, lewd or lascivious acts, continuous sexual abuse of a child, oral copulation, and sexual penetration. Currently, existing California law generally limits the prosecution of a felony sexual offense to only 10 years after the offense is committed, unless DNA evidence is found which then offers a victim additional time.

CWLC’s Fall Update

IN THIS ISSUE: A Big Win for Equal Pay. The Governor Approves SB 358, The California Fair Pay Act, CWLC’s Distinguished Guest Speaker Series, CWLC at Planned Parenthood’s #PinkOut Day, CWLC Kicks off its Title IX Training Series, CWLC Releases a Report Card for Los Angeles County Schools, How CWLC Spent Women’s Equality Day, CWLC Participates in the California Workplace Justice Summit …

ABC’s of Breastfeeding in Los Angeles County School Districts

LOS ANGELES — When it comes to accommodating lactating students who would like to pump their breast milk or feed their babies, school districts in Los Angeles County get a grade of “D” on a report card a coalition of groups advocating reproductive justice released today.

And districts don’t fare much better when it comes to accommodating lactating employees. A teacher who asked to remain anonymous remembers her female co-workers would gather outside the bathroom, the only place where she could pump breast milk, and “Moooo.”

Urge Congress to Protect Planned Parenthood

As a supporter of the California Women’s Law Center, another way I ask you to please consider supporting the rights of women and girls is by telling Congress that you stand with Planned Parenthood. Planned Parenthood is the most trusted women’s health care provider in this country, and has been for nearly 100 years. It
Read more…

Summer Update 2015

IN THIS ISSUE: September 2nd: CWLC’s Distinguished Guest Speaker Series, The 2015 Pursuit of Justice Awards, Supporting the Needs of Our Women Veterans, CWLC Presents at National Council of Jewish Women, NCJW Student Interns Ask For Information About Title IX, CWLC Staff Kick-Off the #WeAreWomen Campaign, and We Are Pleased to Welcome Kamilah Willingham and Alejandra Rosales …

Clayton Valley Charter High School Title IX Case

CONCORD, CALIFORNIA – A settlement has been reached between Clayton Valley Charter High School (Clayton High) and its female athletes to increase equality in high school athletic opportunities, treatment and benefits. Clayton High has agreed to: improve and maintain equitable athletic facilities for girls and boys; offer additional girls’ athletic teams; increase outreach to girls to participate in sports; and provide additional Title IX training to its coaches and administrators, among other things.

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.

CWLC Speakers Series: Amy Ziering Screens The Hunting Ground

CWLC was honored to screen The Hunting Ground and host producer Amy Ziering and film participant Kamilah Willingham for a question and answer session following our Speakers Series on April 22, 2015, at the Feminist Majority Foundation.

Spring 2015 Update

IN THIS ISSUE: CWLC Honors Dolores Huerta, Lilly Ledbetter and Peg Yorkin, CWLC’s Film Screening of The Hunting Ground, Columbia Law Students Visit CWLC, CWLC Presents at the Women’s Veterans Summit, #WeAreStrong Campaign with the Los Angeles Sparks

CWLC Attorneys Receive CLAY Award

California Lawyer magazine announced Wednesday that it is honoring the attorneys who achieved a landmark 9th Circuit Court of Appeals decision in the California Women’s Law Center case Ollier v. Sweetwater Union High School District, et. al. with its 2015 Attorney of the Year (CLAY) Award.

Former CWLC attorneys J. Cacilia Kim and Vicky L. Barker are receiving the award with Elizabeth Kristen, a senior staff attorney with the Legal Aid Society-Employment Law Center, and Erin C. Witkow, a partner at Manatt, Phelps & Phillips LLP.

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.

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

Title IX Victory: Ninth Circuit Finds Sweetwater Union High School District in Violation

CWLC along with our partners at the Legal Aid Society-Employment Law Center (LAS-ELC) and Manatt, Phelps & Phillips, LLP, are excited to share another victory in our Title IX class action suit in the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals on Friday. This September, the Ninth Circuit awarded a class of female athletes, represented by CWLC
Read more…

From U-T San Diego: Appeals Court Upholds Title IX Ruling Against Sweetwater

Appeals Court Upholds Title IX Ruling Against Sweetwater School district was accused of violating gender-equity laws at Castle Park High by not offering female athletes with equal amenities By Allison Sampite-Monteclavo, U-T San Diego Chula Vista — The 9th Circuit Court of Appeals on Friday upheld a 2012 ruling that the Sweetwater Union High School District violated
Read more…

Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals Finds Sweetwater Union High School District in Violation of Title IX

For Immediate Release September 19, 2014 Contact: Sara Feldman, Legal Aid Society-Employment Law Center – sfeldman@las-elc.org, 617-276-5632 Andrew DeBlock, California Women’s Law Center -­ andrew.deblock@cwlc.org, 978-821-0185 Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals Finds Sweetwater Union High School District in Violation of Title IX Girls at Castle Park High School Will Now Have Equal Access to Sports
Read more…

Summer 2014 Update

IN THIS ISSUE: Town Hall with Phyllis Cheng, PasadenaLEARNS Settlement, The 2014 Pursuit of Justice Awards Luncheon, Chief Justice Tani G. Cantil-Sakauye, New Board Member: Christa Demeke

From the Pasadena Star News: Pasadena Unified reaches informal agreement in Title IX complaint

Pasadena Unified reaches informal agreement in Title IX complaint By Sarah Favot, Pasadena Star-News PASADENA >> The Pasadena Unified School District reached an informal settlement with the California Women’s Law Center and other groups over a complaint the district discriminated against girls in its after-school sports programs for middle school students. The California Women’s Law Center,
Read more…

Distinguished Speaker Series: Hon. Tani Gorre Cantil-Sakauye – Chief Justice of California

On June 2nd, the California Women’s Law Center hosted a conversation with Hon. Tani G. Cantil-Sakauye, the Chief Justice of California, and Betsy Butler, CWLC Interim Executive Director. California’s Chief Justice addressed the limitations and far-reaching consequences of an under-funded court system. These financial challenges profoundly impact access to justice for women and girls in our state.

Pursuit of Justice Awards 2014 – Honoring Senator Barbara Boxer

In June 2014, CWLC honored US Senator Barbara Boxer and UC Berkeley School of Law Professor Nancy Lemon at the 2014 Pursuit of Justice Awards. Thank you again to all of our guests and our sponsors who made the event such a success and our work possible.

CWLC Participates in Rally to Stop the Sultan of Brunei

On May 5th, California Women’s Law Center Interim Executive Director spoke at a rally to stop the Sultan of Brunei’s barbaric policies against women and the LGBT community.  Betsy joined Jay Leno and members of the Feminist Majority along with icons Dolores Huerta, Ellie Smeal, Lorri Jean and many others in front of the Beverly Hills
Read more…

Spring 2014 Update

IN THIS ISSUE: The 2014 Pursuit of Justice Awards, Updated Mission | New Location, Chief Justice Tani G. Cantil-Sakauye, Staff in the Community