Events Archive

CCSWG Public Hearings
The CCSWG organized two public hearings on August 30th in conjunction with a scheduled full Commission meeting, offering the opportunity for an initial look at the Commission’s California Blueprint for Women’s Pandemic Economic Recovery report which will be released this fall. SMEs on broad topics addressed in the report including inflation, debt, Long Covid and labor impacts offered testimony which can be viewed here: https://youtu.be/qKZkz27uHkU

Women comprise 50.3% of California’s population. We are half the tax-payers, half the voters, and half of what makes this state a leader and the 5th largest economy in the world. Additional and ongoing investments and support are necessary to bolster California women’s recovery and ensure that we are truly on track for recovery from the pandemic, but we are honored to be able to begin by offering support through the Women’s Recovery Response.

Find the dedicated program page for this year’s grant here: https://women.ca.gov/womens-recovery-response/ 

The California Commission on the Status of Women and Girls advocates for public policy and resource allocation that centers the economic needs of women and girls. This legislative agenda meaningfully addresses the role of poverty in women’s overall circumstances and advances the broader interests of women and girls as central to the vitality of California.

2022 Bills Signed!

Addressing Poverty 
The cycle of poverty can persist for generations and the Commission’s supported policy seeks to eliminate compounding issues.
COERCED DEBT
SIGNED INTO LAW: SB 975 (Min) – this bill creates a cause of action through which a debtor can enjoin a creditor from holding the debtor personally liable for a debt incurred in the name of a debtor through duress, intimidation, threat, force, fraud, or exploitation of the debtor’s resources or personal information for personal gain.

Cultural Competence
Fostering inclusive environments is a priority of the Commission, modernizing California’s language is a key step in achieving this goal. 
INCLUSIVE LANGUAGE
SIGNED INTO LAW: AB 2022 (Ramos) – this bill requires the removal of the s-word from all geographic features and place names in the State of California and would establish a process for the California Advisory Committee on Geographic Names to review and revise offensive names in the State of California.
SIGNED INTO LAW: SB 923 (Wiener) – this bill requires a health care service plan or health insurer to require all of its health plan or insurer staff who are in direct contact with enrollees or insureds in the delivery of care or enrollee or insured services, to complete evidence-based cultural competency training for the purpose of providing trans-inclusive health care for individuals who identify as transgender, gender diverse, or intersex, no later than January 1, 2024.

Fair and Equitable Compensation
Significant gender and wage gaps continue to persist, policies co-sponsored by the Commission seek to eliminate these gaps and get closer to parity. 
GENDER PARITY
SIGNED INTO LAW: AB 1287 (Bauer-Kahan) – this bill prohibits businesses within California from charging different prices for any two consumer products that are substantially similar, if the price differential is based on the gender of the individuals for whom the goods are marketed or intended.
SIGNED INTO LAW: SB 1162 (Limon) – this bill expands state pay data reporting requirements to cover contracted employees and requires employers to make pay scale information for positions available to employees and included in job postings.

Housing for All
Access to housing in the United States is not an equal playing field, the Commission’s supported policies strive for inclusion of all Californians. 
HOUSING JUSTICE
SIGNED INTO LAW: SB 914 (Rubio) – this bill requires cities, counties, and continuums of care that receive state funding on or after January 1, 2023 to take specific actions to address the needs of unaccompanied homeless women with emphasis on domestic violence survivors.
SIGNED INTO LAW: SB 1017 (Eggman) – this bill allows survivors of domestic violence and other violent acts, who are tenants, to maintain their current housing and avoid eviction, significantly increasing their safety and providing much-needed stability as they heal from trauma.

Reproductive Freedom
At a time when women’s rights are under attack, the Commission’s supported policies protect a women’s right to her own body.
ACCESS TO CARE 
SIGNED INTO LAW: AB 1666 (Bauer-Kahan) – this bill declares that a law of another state that authorizes a person to bring a civil action against a person or entity that receives or seeks, performs or induces, or aids or abets the performance of an abortion, or who attempts or intends to engage in those actions, is contrary to the public policy of this state.
SIGNED INTO LAW: AB 2134 (Weber) – this bill ensures that health care providers who provide abortions are fully compensated for their services. 
SIGNED INTO LAW: AB 2185 (Weber) – this bill ensures domestic violence victims access to medical evidentiary exams, free of charge, by Local Sexual Assault Response Teams or other qualified medical evidentiary examiners.
SIGNED INTO LAW: AB 2482 (Calderon) – this bill would establish a pilot program requiring five California State Universities and five California Community Colleges to establish at least one wellness vending machine at their main campus, satellite campus, or both.
SIGNED INTO LAW: AB 2626 (Calderon) – this bill protects abortion providers by preventing professional boards from revoking or suspending a license for providing lawful abortion care in California or in other states.
SIGNED INTO LAW: AB 2586 (C. Garcia) – this bill would address the reproductive and sexual health disparities that Black, Indigenous and other communities of color face. 
SIGNED INTO LAW: AB 2872 (Weber) – this bill makes a series of modifications to the Secretary of State’s Safe at Home address confidentiality program, including changes to applications, notice requirements, and bases for termination.
SIGNED INTO LAW: SB 1142 (Caballero) – this bill requires the California Health and Human Services Agency to establish an internet website where the public can access information on abortion services in the state, on or before July 1, 2023, to ensure people have accurate and comprehensive information when accessing abortion services in California. Establishes the Abortion Practical Support Fund to provide grants that increase patient access to abortion.

Supporting Service Members
Military families face unique and burdens, the Commission’s supported policy goes a long way to address these unseen burdens. 
CONSUMER PROTECTIONS
SIGNED INTO LAW: SB 1311 (Eggman) – this bill strengthens consumer protections related to military discounts, privacy protection, return of security deposits, auto sales contracts, borrower protections and deferral of interest, among other things.

The COVID-19 pandemic will continue to affect California in ways we can anticipate and ways we can not even imagine. Women, we know, are at the heart of the response to this virus, and are making critical contributions from every field and family. During any crisis, the impact on women is enormous. UN Women estimates that up to 70% of workers in the health and social sectors are women and that women do nearly three times the unpaid care taking as men. It is vital that women be involved in the conversation regarding the challenges that lie ahead for our communities and our state. As California has rallied together to face the unprecedented challenges presented by the COVID 19 global pandemic, the California Commission on  the Status of Women and Girls is committed to the effort to ensure that California’s women and families are represented and cared for throughout the crisis and our recovery. Below are some of the ways our Commissioners are responding to the crisis. Please check out our website for additional resources to assist you during this time.

The California Commission on the Status of Women and Girls has gathered resources and links to additional support on our website at www.women.ca.gov. 

Commissioner Erica Courtney: Commissioner Courtney led from the front lines of the COVID-19 crisis in the Pentagon on the Joint Staff on the COVID-19 Crisis Management Team responding to the country’s senior leadership and assisting the public needing Department of Defense assets to provide meals for people in hot spots, millions of masks, thousands of ventilators, logistical support, medical facilities, engineering work, personnel around the globe and more. Commissioner Courtney at work.

Commissioner Mitchell:

On Thursday April 2, 2020 and hosted by the Israeli-American Civic Action Network, Senator Holly Mitchell spoke about the latest developments related to the COVID-19 pandemic and its impact on California and residents of Senate District 30 – covering Culver City, Ladera Heights, and Westmont and the Crenshaw, Downtown, and Florence neighborhoods of Los Angeles

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Commissioner Jackson:

Senator Jackson held a tele-town hall every Wednesday during the crisis. To hear the recording of these events or read the notes below, please click each link.

County Public Health Updates (March 19, 2020)

Listen to a recording of our town halls with county public health officials for a COVID19 update (recording available until April 2)

Santa Barbara: (866) 207-1041, Access code: 8116079

Notes

Espanol

Ventura: (866) 207-1041, Access code: 8665418

Notes

Worker Protections (March 25, 2020)

Learn about the differences between Unemployment Insurance, Disability Insurance, and Paid Family Leave, how to determine which program applies to you, and how to file a claim by listening to a recording of our town hall below.

Listen here.

Notes

Small Business Resources (April 1, 2020)

Listen here.

Notes

Support for Older Adults, Families and Caregivers (April 8, 2020)

Listen

Notes

Commissioner Weber:

On Thursday, April 9,  Dr. Weber convened a discussion with Chula Vista Elementary School District, La Mesa Spring Valley School District, Lemon Grove SchoOol District, San Diego County Office of Education, San Diego Unified School District and Sweetwater Union High School District about the nature of the COVID-19 virus, and the important local and state steps underway to ensure student success and completion during these times. Together they answered county residents’ important distance learning education questions including graduations and resources for parents during these times. To hear the recording of this call please click HERE.

Uganda:

The California Commission on the Status of Women and Girls met with a delegation of female writers from Uganda through the U.S. Department of State International Visitor Leadership Program. The Commission Chair and staff led an in-depth discussion regarding the Equal Pay Program and the global impacts of gender parity with regards to pay. 

Chair Wilkins and staff meeting with the Nor Cal World Trade Center delegation from Uganda.

Colombia:

SenatorHannah-Beth Jackson, Assemblymember Eloise Gómez Reyes, and Erica Courtney met with the International Visitor Leadership Program through the U.S. Department of State delegation from Colombia, to discuss Women, Peace and Security. We thank the Meridian International Center International Visitor Leadership Program and NorCal World Trade Center for their partnership in making this happen. 

Pictured below: CCSWG: Meryl Press, CCSWG Equal Pay Specialist,  Commissioners Senator Hannah-Beth Jackson, Assemblymember Eloise Gómez Reyes, and Erica Courtney and Darcy Totten, CCSWG Director of Communications.Delegation: Ms. Maria Ximena FIGUEROA OLAYA, Representative of the Female Indigenous Sector, Women’s Alliance for Peace and the Communal Council, Department of Tolima,  Ms. Luz Angelica MARINO RODRIGUEZ Advisor, Deputy Attorney General, Attorney General’s Office of Colombia,  Ms. Sasha TORRADO PUERTA Regional Advisor to the Vice President, Office of the Vice President of Colombia,  Ms. Nataly TORRES PINZON Co Founder/COO, Delcampoati (‘From Land to You’), Ms. Manuela del Rocio URREGO RODRIGUEZ Deputy Director for Coordination and Institutional Strengthening, Agency for Territorial Renewal (ART),  Ms. Tatiana Valeria WATSON MURCIA, Consultant to the Deputy Minister of Land Use Planning, Ministry of Environment and Sustainable Development of Colombia.

Commissioners Jackson, Courtney and Gomez-Reyes speak to the Colombia delegation from the State Department’s International Visitor Leadership Program.

Commissioner Hannah-Beth Jackson was joined by Congresswoman Jackie Speier, along with representatives from the business and advocacy communities and the Women’s Foundation of California to call for an end to the “pink tax” in which many women’s products cost more than the same products marketed to men. Senate Bill 873 would make it illegal to charge customers different prices on the basis of gender for substantially similar goods.
Pictured below (left): Commissioner Jackson, U.S. Representative Jackie Spier, Commissioner Leyva, Sen. Weiner, Surina Khan, CEO of the Women’s Foundation of California and advocates announce SB 873. (right)  Commissioner Jackson, U.S. Representative Jackie Spier,

Commission staff and Commissioners were honored to attend “Witness the Power of She: A 19th Amendment Centennial Celebration,” hosted by Leadership California and the Legislative Women’s Caucus on Monday, Jan. 13, 2020.
Pictured below: Commissioner Leyva, Master of Ceremonies, Commissioner Jackson with Faith Colburn and Mcclina Wheeler, Commissioner Mitchell giving a speech.

Commission staff and Commissioners were honored to attend “California Votes for Women: A Golden State Suffrage Centennial Celebration,” hosted by First Partner Jennifer Siebel Newsom featuring a fireside chat with U.S. House of Representatives Speaker Nancy Pelosi on Saturday, Nov. 9, 2019.
                          

Black Women’s Equal Pay Day 

The Commission was thrilled to partner with the Office of the First Partner, the California Women’s Caucus, Times Up, and Equal Rights Advocates to produce an Equal Pay CA Conversation for Black Women’s Equal Pay Day. California’s First Partner Jennifer Siebel Newsom and the California Legislative Women’s Caucus along with special guests Elaine Welteroth and Assemblymember Shirley Weber and Senator Hannah-Beth Jackson spoke at Sacramento State University on August 27th. The well-attended event focused on a discussion of the particular challenges faced by women of color and how we can work together to achieve gender equity for all.

Once again the CCSWG was honored to co-host the 2019 California STEAM Symposium. Chair Alisha Wilkins introduced Keynote speaker Dr. Christopher Emdin and presented an overview of the Commission’s work on the STEAM Stage. 

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The CCSWG was honored with the opportunity to hear directly from leaders from several southern California-based local commissions at a joint meeting with the Los Angeles City Commission on the Status of Women in November 2019. The meeting was joined by representatives from Mayor Garcetti’s office and LA City Council Representatives David E. Ryu and Monica Rodriguez. This meeting was truly inspirational and highlighted a way that we, at the state level, can help ensure that state leaders are aware of grassroots efforts to positively impact the more than 20 million women and girls in California. It was followed by the California Yes in My Backyard (YIMBY CA) special Leadership Briefing, “New Research about Women of Color and California’s Housing Crisis” at La Plaza de Cultura y Artes, in Los Angeles. 

In the lead-up to the planned 2020 United State of Women Summit, The United State of Women convened communities across the country to equip women with the tools they need to keep fighting for gender equity.  CCSWG was well represented by staff at #GalvanizeCA in Sacramento at 6000 J Street in the University Union on Saturday, October 26th. 

On October 11, 2019 the Governor signed SB 24 by Senator Connie Leyva (D-Chino) which requires student health centers on University of California and California State University campuses to offer abortion by medication techniques on site.

Commissioners Jackson and Mitchell attended the signing.

Operation Dress Code Professional Clothing Drive for Women Veterans
CCSWG staff participated in the Operation Dress Code and #WinLikeAGirl clothing drive on October 11, 2019 to help women veterans get the professional clothing they need to transition to civilian life. 
 
Operation Dress Code collaborates with non-profits, veterans organizations and businesses to give women who have served in the U.S. Armed Forces a free personalized shopping spree in a beautiful pop-up boutique setting. It’s designed to empower women veterans so that they may pursue new civilian careers with the confidence they deserve and the respect they’ve earned.
 
All donations collected at the Sacramento #WinLikeAGirl event were be distributed on November 4th, at the 4th Annual Operation Dress Code boutique event in San Diego. 

 Kendra Harris with Lindsey Sin, Deputy Secretary Women Veterans Affair and representative from Operation Dress Code.

Operations Director Emily Sunahara speaks at Women on the Rise: Educate, Mentor and Lead hosted by SRBX Women in Construction.