“Shirley Anita St. Hill Chisholm was the first African American woman in Congress (1968) and the first woman and African American to seek the nomination for president of the United States from one of the two major political parties (1972). Her motto and title of her autobiography—Unbossed and Unbought—illustrates her outspoken advocacy for women and minorities during her seven terms in the U.S. House of Representatives.”

“The first African-American woman Senator, Carol Moseley-Braun was also only the second Black Senator since the Reconstruction Era.

‘“I cannot escape the fact that I come to the Senate as a symbol of hope and change,” Moseley-Braun said shortly after being sworn in to office in 1993. “Nor would I want to, because my presence in and of itself will change the U.S. Senate.”’ During her single term in office, Senator Moseley-Braun advocated for civil rights issues and for legislation on crime, education, and families.”

“Dr. Mae C. Jemison is an American astronaut and physician who, on June 4, 1987, became the first African American woman to be admitted into NASA’s astronaut training program. On September 12, 1992, Jemison finally flew into space with six other astronauts aboard the Endeavour on mission STS47, becoming the first African American woman in space. 

After leaving the astronaut corps in March 1993, Jemison accepted a teaching fellowship at Dartmouth. She also established the Jemison Group, a company that seeks to research, develop and market advanced technologies.”

After the passage of the 19th Amendment in 1920, women of color were often kept from the polls through a variety of tactics. They faced racial and ethnic discrimination and were often discouraged from voting via violence. We have come a long way, but we still have miles to go to achieve equality for all and especially for women of color.

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California lawmakers confirmed CCSWG Commissioner Dr. Shirley N. Weber as Secretary of State, making history as she becomes the first Black elections chief in California. Congratulations to an incredible advocate for women and girls and tireless champion for equity! We look forward to your continued leadership in this barrier-breaking role.

Join the Commission and the Office of the First Partner in taking the Pay Equity Pledge.

When you sign the pledge, your company commits to conduct an annual company-wide gender pay analysis; review hiring and promotion processes to reduce bias and barriers; and identify and promote other best practices that will close the pay gap.

The California Commission on the Status of Women and Girls (CCSWG) celebrates Speaker Rendon’s appointment of Commissioner Assemblywoman Eloise Gómez Reyes to the position of Assembly Majority Leader.

Commissioner and Assemblywoman Eloise Gómez Reyes (D-San Bernardino) made history when she became the first Latina to hold this position in December 2020. She is also the Chair of the Assembly Human Services Committee and serves on the Aging and Long-Term Care Committee, Budget Committee, Judiciary Committee, Utilities and Energy Committee and Legislative Ethics Committee.