California Commission on the Status of Women and Girls

"More simply stated: the election will have huge consequences for the women of America, and future generations of American women and girls—more than any we have seen over the three decade or more. " https://lnkd.in/gT9j4UsW

"Taking care of our family members is one of those critical, universal needs that most everyone experiences—whether it’s childcare, or caring for sick or elderly loved ones. Yet it is also one of those areas in our country where support systems and policies have been sorely lacking. The U.S. is one of only six countries that doesn’t have a paid leave program, and Americans are struggling to afford the care they need for their children and aging parents." https://lnkd.in/ewcMePrR

"October 28, 2024, marks the 50th anniversary of the passage of the 1974 Equal Credit Opportunity Act (ECOA), which made it illegal for banks to discriminate against women applying for loans based on their sex or marital status. Amended in 1976 to extend its protections to include race, color, religion, national origin, age, and receipt of public assistance, ECOA fundamentally changed women’s ability to access credit and capital and shifted their relationship to the banking industry." https://lnkd.in/gixQfH7r

"Immigrants have been part of the fabric of America ever since its founding. Even now, 16% of women in the working population are foreign-born, and this group of women uniquely contributes to the wealth of our country by adding cultural capital, social capital and economic capital." https://lnkd.in/g8ZqSKka

The California Commission on the Status of Women and Girls was honored to host Erin Saberi with the Commission on the Status of Women & Girls - Sacramento County and to meet the Sacramento Commission’s new Chair, Timiza Wash. Timiza brings expertise and many years of experience working to support victims of domestic violence. The Sacramento County Commission recently presented data highlighting the status of Sacramento County women and girls to the Sacramento County Board of Supervisors. The data highlights persistent issues, including the gender wage gap, women with children struggling to meet the local cost of living, and consistent rates of domestic violence. While education is a notable bright spot - 67% of female high school graduates are pursuing higher education - women with a four-year degree still earn just 81% of what their male counterparts make. More information on the report findings is available on their website.

The California Commission on the Status of Women and Girls is delighted to join partner California Women Lead for their 2024 Annual Conference, "Power Up, Celebrating 50 Years of Empowerment" for a full day of insightful conversations about women leaders in business and public policy. Guest speakers include State Controller Malia Cohen, Los Angeles County Supervisor Holly J. Mitchell, and Co-Founder of Make Time Wellness, Emma Heming Willis. Commission Executive Director, Darcy Totten, and Special Projects Manager Jennifer DeGrossa will be presenting on behalf of the Commission. The Conference will be held on November 15, 2024 in Los Angeles at the Luskin Conference Center with a reception to follow. California Women Lead is introducing special pricing for young professionals to make the event accessible for those new in their careers. Visit the links below for more information. Register here: https://lnkd.in/gHCdrA7j Register for just the reception here:  https://lnkd.in/g2YgS6CG #WomenInLeadership #WomenInBusiness

Great news, we're extending the application deadline to join our Youth Advisory Council to November 18, 2024! The California Commission on the Status of Women and Girls is seeking new members for our Youth Advisory Council, which supports the mission of the Commission by providing a youth perspective on state policy and practice. This unique opportunity to help shape public policy is open to girls ages 14-20 living in California. Members will be asked to attend, virtually or in person in Sacramento, 6 meetings each year, approximately 2 hours each, and engage in approximately 4 hours of advocacy, outreach, or support each month. Meetings take place on weekdays between the hours of 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and applicants must be available during business hours to be considered. 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. Visit our website to apply: women.ca.gov. #YouthInLeadership

Today we pay tribute to Lilly Ledbetter, a fierce advocate for women's rights. She was widely recognized for her pivotal role in spearheading the equal pay movement. Her advocacy stemmed from her experience as a supervisor for Goodyear Tire and Rubber Co. where she discovered through an anonymous letter that she was significantly underpaid compared to her male colleague in a similar position. Despite setbacks with her lawsuit, Ledbetter persevered in her fight for equal pay ultimately leading to the passage of the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act in 2009. https://lnkd.in/e3Ke5D_h

In honor of Indigenous People's Day, we celebrate the rich culture, diverse histories, and contributions of Indigenous communities throughout California. Today is dedicated to reflecting on the resilience and strength of Indigenous peoples who have maintained their traditions, languages, and connection to their lands despite centuries of displacement and oppression. As we recognize this day, it's important to listen to and uplift Indigenous voices, to dismantle harmful stereotypes, advocate for their rights, and support the preservation of their culture. #IndigenousPeoplesDay

Congratulations to our Youth Advisory Councilmember Serena Griffin (17) of Alameda County on being named a "Girls Leading Change" honoree by the First Lady of the United States, Dr. Jill Biden. The honorees are selected by the White House Gender Policy Council to recognize ten young women who are leaders in their community in shaping a brighter future where girls can thrive. The Girls Leading Change event is in honor of the International Day of the Girl, a holiday dedicated to acknowledging the power, strength, and creativity of girls around the world. Councilmember Serena Griffin is a talented songwriter, storyteller, and poet who is dedicated to empowering young girls through their art. Griffin founded EmpowHer Poets, a free afterschool writing program specifically designed for young girls, especially girls from diverse backgrounds. She is also the current Berkeley Vice Youth Poet Laureate and as one of our councilmembers Griffin actively contributes to shaping policies that benefit the youth. Read more here: https://lnkd.in/gUFwPqzm