California Commission on the Status of Women and Girls Celebrates its First Inaugural Youth Advisory Council

(SACRAMENTO, CA, April 15, 2025) – the California Commission on the Status of Women and Girls is excited to celebrate the completion of term for its first inaugural Youth Advisory Council members. These members served a two-year term and held their final meeting on April 15, 2025, where they were recognized by Commissioner Nisha Devi Rodrigo, Commissioner Kawser Amine, and Executive Director Darcy Totten for their dedicated service.

Youth Council members were honored for their critical leadership, advocacy, and collaborative contributions to the Commission’s work. During their term, Youth Advisory Council members led several important initiatives, including partnering with the Stanford University School of Medicine on project Empower, collaborating with the California Department of Education on sexual health education initiatives, and creating a social media awareness campaign to address teen dating and domestic violence. These projects, along with the vital recommendations members provided in Youth Advisory Council meetings, subcommittees, and Commission meetings, have provided the Commission with an important framework for addressing the issues youth face across the State of California.

“For the past two years, these members have changed the landscape for how we think about and approach youth policy issues at the Commission,” said Darcy Totten, Executive Director, California Commission on the Status of Women and Girls. “Their diverse perspectives have helped uplift underrepresented youth voices and offered a roadmap for our work, ensuring that the perspectives of those we work to build an equitable future for are involved at every stage of that work, and that those who will be most impacted by

policies are tapped to help craft them. We are deeply thankful for their service to the state, and to California’s 19.6 million women and girls.”

The Commission is grateful for the first inaugural Youth Advisory Council’s work, and we are excited to recognize their accomplishments as they welcome the onboarding class of new Youth Advisory Council members, who will expand the initial framework into a living Youth Policy Agenda for future Councils to update and adapt.

Inaugural Youth Advisory Council:

Abigail Shih, Orange County

Anagh Rajesh, Santa Clara County

Anna McMillan, San Mateo County

Bhajleen Khalsa, San Joaquin County

Diana Haus, Sacramento County

Eli Reeves Tordilla, Los Angeles County

Hannah Satuito, San Mateo County

Isabella Murillo, Contra Costa County

Kaitlyn Uesugi, San Bernandino County

Kyra Knight, Solano County

Maya Henry, Los Angeles County

Noelle Hardy, Los Angeles County

Nora Lounibos, Sonoma County

Oz Rafer, San Francisco County

Penelope Oliver, Sacramento County

Phoebe Seigel, San Francisco County

Rebecca Wang (Vice Chair), Santa Clara County

Riya Yarlagadda (Secretary), Ventura County

Serena Griffin, Alameda County

Thao (Vivi) Yun, San Diego County

Yasmeen Arteaga, Los Angeles County

Yuzuna Kudo (Chair), Los Angeles County

About the California Commission on the Status of Women and Girls

For nearly 60 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.

About the CCSWG Youth Advisory Council

The California Commission on the Status of Women and Girls developed the Youth Advisory Council in 2022. Having a youth-centered approach ensures that the Commission is including the voices of all our constituents. The Council is a group of young residents (ages 12-19) of California brought together to increase youth involvement in California’s public policy efforts. Through this Council, the Commission shall keep youth engaged through thoughtful conversations, experienced speakers, and advocacy and leadership development, resulting in the development of a Girls Agenda for the Commission.