California Commission on the Status of Women and Girls

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

World Mental Health Day is dedicated to raising awareness and offering support for mental health. According to Psychiatry.org, one in five adult women experience a serious mental illness such as depression of PTSD, significantly impacting their quality of life. Socioeconomic factors such as income inequality, poverty, gender-based violence, partner violence, and homelessness, lack of access to adequate healthcare, can increase the risk of poor mental health among women. World mental Health Day aims to eliminate the stigma surrounding mental health to encourage people to seek assistance. If you or someone you know is experiencing a mental health crisis or emergency please dial 911. https://lnkd.in/ejm_p-P6

"Women make up roughly half of U.S. labor union membership, but representation in top level union leadership positions has lagged, even in female-dominated industries and particularly for women of color. But Black and Latina women are starting to gain ground, landing top positions at some of the biggest unions in the U.S. That has translated into wins at the bargaining table that focus more attention on family-friendly benefits like?parental leave?and health care coverage, as well as protections against sexual harassment." - AP News. https://lnkd.in/g38QcTUV

The California Budget & Policy Center, in partnership with the California Commission on the Status of Women and Girls, released the newest iteration of the California Women's Well-Being Index, an interactive tool providing county-level data on how well women are faring in the state. The Index offers an in-depth analysis of the socioeconomic factors that affect women in California, and is divided into five dimensions covering health, personal safety, employment and earnings, economic security, and political empowerment. Each category includes six indicators, which are then scored providing insight for state and local leaders to create meaningful policy changes. Read more here: https://lnkd.in/e_TJjq3S See the Index here: https://lnkd.in/gUFkAdJF

Today is Latina Equal Pay Day and we are highlighting the disparities Latinas face in the workforce. According to EqualPayToday.org, Latina women working full-time year-round earn 58 cents for every dollar a white, non-Hispanic man makes. The gap widens to 51 cents for every dollar a white non-Hispanic make earns when we look at women working part time, or as seasonal or migrant workers. Due to occupational segregation, Latina women are overrepresented in industries that pay low wages. Latina immigrant workers are vulnerable as their citizenship status leaves them unprotected from wage theft. Closing the pay gap is essential for all women and their communities to thrive. #EqualPayDay #EqualPayCA

We are proud to announce that we are hosting a screening of RATIFIED: a documentary about the 100 years of activists in the US who have been fighting to pass an amendment in the constitution that would protect gender equality. Join us for the screening on October 14, 2024 at the Mount Saint Mary's University Rose Hills Auditorium at 6pm. Get tickets here: https://lnkd.in/ei_sjDiK #docsfordemocracy

The California Commission on the Status of Women and Girls (CCSWG) and the California Budget & Policy Center partnered to develop this third update to the Women’s Well Being Index which seeks to highlight disaggregated gender-based data along 30 different indicators, offering insight into equity barriers in California. The interactive tool aims to provide vital information to inform the public and policymakers about the contextual factors and implications of the data to generate informed and impactful policy solutions that promote gender equity in California. “Data is always the first step in building solutions to close the gaps and address inequality,” says CCSWG Interim Executive Director Darcy Totten.“ https://lnkd.in/e_TJjq3S

Please join us for the premiere screening of?RATIFIED?on Monday, October 14, 2024, from 6 to 9 p.m. at Mount Saint Mary’s University in Los Angeles. This powerful documentary highlights the 100-year struggle for constitutional gender equality and tells the inspiring story of the bi-partisan, multi-racial, and multi-generational effort that led to Virginia becoming the 38th state to ratify the Equal Rights Amendment. It also highlights the crucial role of Black women leaders in the fight for gender equality. The screening will be followed by a Q&A panel co-hosted by the Commission and the Center for the Advancement of Women at Mount Saint Mary's University,?featuring Congresswoman Jennifer McClellan (VA-04);?Commissioner Catalina Chacón;?Vote Equality founder Kati Hornung;?and moderated by the Commission's Interim Executive Director, Darcy Totten. Register here: https://lnkd.in/ei_sjDiK