New and Notable
The California Commission on the Status of Women and Girls is celebrating Pride Month with the first panel of our ongoing CCSWG Speaker Series focused on Supporting the Health, Safety, and Wellness of LGBTQIA+ Youth & Our Roles as Advocates, Allies, and Policy Makers.
Panelist Senator Caroline Menjivar, CCSWG Commissioner
Senator Caroline Menjivar (she/her/ella), elected in November 2022, represents Burbank and the San Fernando Valley in California’s 20th Senate District. Menjivar has volunteered on the Board of Gay, Lesbian, and Straight Education Network (GLSEN), Los Angeles Chapter, the Advisory Board of Help Group’s Kaleidoscope, and as the Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Officer for San Fernando Valley Young Dems Club.
Panelist Alexis Sanchez, Director of Advocacy and Training, Sacramento LGBTQ Community Center
Alexis’ background is in public health policy with a specialization in substance use disorders in the LGBTQIA+ community. She served on the City of West Hollywood’s Transgender Advisory Board for 4 years and in this role worked to create numerous policy changes and campaigns to create a safer city for transgender people.
Panelist Dana TherActivist Johnson, MSW, Director of Youth Housing & Trainer, Rainbow Community Center, Contra Costa County
Dana TherActivist Johnson, MSW (They/Them/Theirs) is a gender non-binary masculine of centered community activist that brings experience as an Author, documentary filmmaker, DEI&B practitioner, and Professional Development trainer. Dana also has 18 years’ experience counseling and servicing justice involved youth. Dana serves as a LGBTQ+ Commissioner and PRIDE Initiative co-chair for the County of San Mateo; and a board member of CoastPride Center.
About the Commission
For more than 50 years, the California Commission on the Status of Women and Girls has identified and worked to eliminate inequities in state laws, practices, and conditions that affect California’s women and girls. Established as a state agency with 17 appointed commissioners in 1965, the Commission regularly assesses gender equity in health, safety, employment, education, and equal representation in the military, and the media. The Commission provides leadership through research, policy and program development, education, outreach and collaboration, advocacy, and strategic partnerships.
*All references to ‘women and girls’ include gender-expansive individuals (cis women and girls, trans women and girls, nonbinary individuals, gender-nonconforming individuals, genderqueer individuals, and any women or girl identified individuals).


Commission Meetings 2023
Notice and the agendas are available on our website here and contain a new Zoom link and dial in number for each meeting. Please mute the web stream audio on your electronic device (i.e. computer, tablet, smartphone) when listening or speaking on the phone. View all Commission Posts and search our directory for local women’s commissions.

Hammy Awards
CCSWG was honored to receive a Hammy Award from our partners at Habitat for Humanity Greater Sacramento in honor of our contributions and sponsorship of the 2023 Women Build Month.

AWARDS: The California Blueprint For Women’s Pandemic Economic Recovery
The California Commission on the Status of Women and Girls was named the winner of a Gold Stevie® Award in the Category: Best White Paper or Research Report for the California Blueprint for Women’s Pandemic Economic Recovery.

AWARDS: California Blueprint For Women’s Pandemic Economic Recovery
The Commission was named a winner of a Silver Stevie® Award in the category of Thought Leadership Campaign of the Year – Government or Non-Profit category for the California Blueprint for Women’s Pandemic Economic Recovery in the 21st Annual American Business Awards®.
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