Senator Anna Caballero is sponsoring SB 1386 – Closing the Civil Rape Sheild Loophole. This law would strengthen protections for victims of sexual harassment or violence. It would make it harder for defendants to attack the credibility of a plaintiff through the introduction of evidence regarding the plaintiff’s prior sexual conduct, or lack of harm. 

Assemblymember Joaquin Arambula is sponsoring AB 310 – Reimagining CalWORKs. This legislation expands eligibility for the California Work Opportunity and Responsibility to Kids (CalWORKs) program, which provides cash assistance and benefits to low-income families. The new law would broaden the activities that satisfy the program’s work requirement and aims to reduce the financial penalties for families where one person fails to fully comply with work requirements due to physical, mental, or legal barriers. 

If you have questions about these bills or want to get involved with NWPC’s legislative advocacy work, please contact Darcy Brown at DarcyLBrown@gmail.com.  

The post Policy Report appeared first on NWPC Fresno.

The status of women in the United States is declining: The U.S. ranks 37th globally in terms of the best countries to be a woman, compared to its ranking of 26th in 2017 on the Women, Peace and Security (WPS) Index. This is due largely to two indicators: maternal mortality and political violence.

A presidential candidate is leaning toward a national abortion ban at 15 weeks if elected.

The assault on women’s rights is terrifying! On the positive side, the White House just signed an executive order aimed at advancing the study of women’s health. And for the first time, Californians are likely to be represented by a female majority in the state Senate next year. There are at least three women running to become the first woman governor in California, Lt. Governor, Eleni Kounalakis, former CA. State Controller, Betty Yee and Toni Atkins, who served as President pro tempore of the CA State Senate, and was last year’s Women’s Equality Day speaker. We have three excellent choices! 

These gains result from the work of groups like NWPC, NOW, Close the Gap, Hope, Emerge, BWOPA, and many more. Pat yourself on the back but continue to advocate and work toward electing more women to office, at all levels. CA NWPC is sponsoring a Lobbying Day on April 10, in Sacramento. If you are interested in attending please let me know! 

Renewal might involve a Spring Road Trip!

In Equality,
Marsha

The post Happy Spring! appeared first on NWPC Fresno.

Sara Mirhadi has worked at Poverello House for over ten years. She supervises all client services programs such as Street Outreach and Navigation, emergency shelter programs, Map Point, and the Mens Residential Program. Her duties at Poverello House include designing and implementing programs for Poverello House. She is also the Secretary for the Madera Continuum of Care. Sara is a graduate of Fresno State and San Joaquin College of Law. She has lived in the City of Fresno most of her life. Sara has worked for the National Park Service, State Senator Jim Costa, City of Fresno, and the Workforce Investment Board. Poverello House is her dream job. Ms. Mirhadi will talk about the state of homelessness/unhoused women in Fresno and the programs and services available at Naomi’s House and the Poverello House.

Located on the grounds of the Poverello House in downtown Fresno, Naomi’s House is a 34-bed, emergency overnight  shelter for single, homeless women. Residents receive access to basic necessities, such as showers, clothing, meals and medical and/or dental care. Case management services are also provided, which assist residents in finding housing, accessing mental health care, and learning to make positive life choices to achieve self-sufficiency.

The post Dinner Meeting April 2, 2024 appeared first on NWPC Fresno.

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You still have the opportunity to get involved in the March 5, 2024, primary election and make a difference! You can help Fresno NWPC endorsed candidate, Jennifer Cruz, who is running for Fresno County Board of Supervisors, District 5 – sign up to help by texting Myra Coble at 559-905-3514.

Esmeralda Soria, who is seeking reelection in Assembly District 27 will not be conducting phone banks until the November election.

The importance of having the representation of women in elected office and on courts has never been more important. I urge you to help these campaigns if you can.

If you have a problem voting or with your ballot, you can contact the Fresno Elections Office for help. 

Vote early and make your voice heard!

In Equality,
Marsha

The post President’s Message appeared first on NWPC Fresno.

Our speaker will be Fresno County Juvenile Justice Commission Chair, Marilyn Watts.

NWPC’s own Marilyn Watts will share with us the important and amazing work being done by a variety of partners who serve the juvenile justice needs and responsibilities of our community. She will explain the work being done by the Fresno County Juvenile Justice Commission, a state mandated, court appointed citizen’s commission that serves “to be a public conscience in the interest of justice for children and youth.” Their primary work focuses on the broad inquiry into the administration of juvenile justice, including the operations of our juvenile court, social and mental health services to youth, the safety and welfare of youth in group homes, and the safety and well-being of incarcerated youth as delineated by law.

Marilyn will be contrasting 1970s-80s attitudes about juvenile justice and the treatment of girls in the justice system with today’s emphasis on Restorative Justice and reducing incarceration. She will talk about how changing laws impact the juvenile justice system and create challenges and opportunities for the Fresno County Probation Department.

Things we may not know about Marilyn:

She was born and raised in Texas and New Mexico and her activism started there as she observed many injustices. She is a long time NWPC member, first joining in the late 1970s and often marched for women’s issues. She moved to Fresno after college and began her career as a Psychologist with the Fresno County Probation Department. She researched the effectiveness of programs for adults and minors and helped start the first treatment program for girls incarcerated in the Juvenile Hall.

She left Probation in 1987 and with Marsha Conant ran a successful small printing company for 25 years. After her retirement in 2006, she stayed active and productive in the community. Marilyn served for two years on the Grand Jury, including a stint as Foreperson; worked the 2010 Census; and for the past thirteen years she has given back to Fresno County Probation by serving on the Juvenile Justice Commission, including her current service as Chair.

The post Dinner Meeting March 5, 2024 appeared first on NWPC Fresno.

It is very exciting to begin this election year surrounded by like-minded people who understand the importance of electing women and supporting democracy!

We will be considering the endorsement of and re-endorsement of several local women candidates, who represent NWPC values at the February meeting! 

This month’s speaker’s, Dee Barnes a local political activist, will educate us about the local propositions that will appear on the March 5 ballot. Some of you have asked for an action rather than just a speaker at meetings, Patty Cappelluti, another political activist will provide postcards and messages that encourage sometimes voters to vote in the important March elections! Many of you have written postcards in the past and we know these efforts make a difference in the outcome of elections! There is no pressure to write postcards if you are uncomfortable or choose not to! There are also active campaigns taking place that you may want to get involved with, phone banking, texting, and supporting financially.

The NWPC Board met in January and began making plans for the year. Thank all Board members for their participation and commitment to making 2024 fabulous for NWPC. We hope to continue to grow the Fresno caucus and be more visible in the community. 

The plans for Women’s Equality Day have begun! Please consider joining the committee, it is a fun event to be involved in and the PAC event allows us to make financial contributions to endorsed candidates!

In Equality,
Marsha

The post President’s Message appeared first on NWPC Fresno.

Our next meeting will be held on Tuesday, February 6, 2024.

The topic for the meeting is, “Let’s Get Ready to Vote!” Our speakers will be Dee Barnes and Patty Cappelutti.

Dee Barnes was raised in the Valley and has lived in Fresno since 1977.  She has worked in the business office at the Fresno Police Department for the past 25 years.  Dee has been a registered voter since 1973, but started becoming very active in local politics while serving as the President of the Fresno City Employees Association. She also serves as Secretary of the Coalition of Organized Labor and belongs to numerous political clubs and groups. She was one of the leaders of the “No on Measure G” campaign to stop the privatization of residential trash service. Dee is an active member of the Fresno County Democratic Central Committee and is currently Chair of their Candidate Recruitment and Development Committee. 

Patty Cappelluti will explain that “postcarding” is a fun and effective way to encourage people to vote. Our handwritten and colorful cards invite people to read our message regarding the importance of voting. We will be targeting people who only vote sometimes and encouraging them to not sit out this next very important election.

The post Dinner Meeting February 6, 2024 appeared first on NWPC Fresno.

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