springing nwpc priorities forward
Updates from our State Board President
Hello fellow NWPC CA members! April was an exciting and busy month, as our state board convened in Sacramento to plan for a big year ahead in our mission-driven work to elect more women and support policies that align with our bottom-line issues.
Our local caucuses are energized and it’s been an honor to visit so many in-person and virtual events already! I look forward to continuing my statewide tour and meeting as many members of our NWPC CA community as possible. Thank you for your activism and service, and for your warm hospitality. We are grateful to the NWPC Sacramento chapter, especially NWPC Sacramento President Lauren Hammond and state rep Michelle Collins for the great event held on Saturday night at the home of former Sacramento Mayor Heather Fargo during the board meeting.
In big news, last week we held our first in-person Advocacy Days in Sacramento since before the pandemic. I’m incredibly proud of what we accomplished at this dynamic kickoff of our legislative advocacy this session – with an enthusiastic group of women and allies with diverse life experience all harnessed to lift up issues and legislation that serve women and girls and families and the people of California.
We brought forth our endorsed state bills, covering abortion rights under constant attack, child care, menstrual equity, worker protections, workplace & economic equity, ending domestic violence and gender violence, alleviating poverty, fair pay and more. And we advocated on a first set of priority bills to help ensure they have the critical support to advance - especially in a tough budget year.
Thank you to all of the NWPC CA leaders who came together in Sacramento to fuel our advocacy in almost two dozen meetings in the Capitol. My sincere appreciation to our team leaders who put together an outstanding bill package and coordinated our busy Advocacy Days trip - NWPC CA Public Policy Committee Chair Karen Humphrey and Vice Chair Naomi Goldman.
And an enormous thank you to the legislators, leaders and staff we met with, and for being exemplary champions, leaders and partners, including: California Commission on the Status of Women and Girls Executive Director Holly Martinez, Board Chair Lauren Babb and External Affairs Director Darcy Totten; Senate pro tempore Toni Atkins; California Legislative Women’s Caucus Chair Senator Nancy Skinner and Vice Chair Assemblymember Cecilia Aguiar-Curry; Assembly Majority Leader Eloise Reyes; and so many leaders in the Assembly and Senate. We are “all in” on the vital work ahead this session…and beyond.
Thank you again for your commitment to our organization and for helping to better the quality of life for all Californians. Please reach out to me with questions, suggestions and for ways to get involved at the local or state level. There are many communities that would benefit from your time and talent, including public policy, membership, fundraising, communications and education and training. I look forward to connecting with you soon!
With Gratitude,
Sabrina Ashjian
President, NWPC CA
president@nwpcca.org
MORE: https://mailchi.mp/nwpcca/newsletter-springing-nwpcs-priorities-forward