We Are Community Organizers

Along with A Slant Truth and other blogs, we are participating in writing about the real work that community organizers do today. You can read our post on the importance of community organizers and our reaction to Sarah Palin's disparaging comments in our Civics Lesson for Sarah Palin.

Each of the leaders and activists in our local chapters is a community organizer. They work in their communities informing people about issues affecting women and girls in California and nationwide, and helping people to take action for positive change at every level.

Actions can range from tabling in a public area to inform people about dangerous ballot initiative such as Prop. 4, to letter-writing campaigns on current legislation, to lobbying, voter registration and get-out-the-vote work, or creation of a clinic escort program or other long-term campaign work.

Why does feminist activism matter? Here are a few of the things California NOW community organizers have helped to accomplish in recent years:

Created "I Heart Consensual Sex" Campaign to address the issue of rape, especially on college and university campuses.

SB 1661 providing paid disability leave for an employee who must take time off work to care for a seriously ill family member or new child.

AB 898, the “Sexual Assault Victims’ DNA Bill of Rights” requiring police to inform sexual assault victims about the status of DNA evidence, including testing and disposal of the evidence; AB 1860, which required medical professionals treating female sexual assault victims to provide counseling about the risk of pregnancy and dispense emergency contraception upon request.

Created the Women in the Workplace Taskforce, bringing women in corporate leadership together with labor leaders to produce the Women in the Workplace report and follow-up Striving for Work/Life Balance.

AB 2900 making all employment non-discrimination provisions in California law prohibit discrimination based on race, religion, color, national origin, ancestry, disability, marital status, sex, age or sexual orientation; AB 1400 to further prohibit discrimination on the basis of marital status or sexual orientation.

SB 1301, the “Reproductive Privacy Act” which ensures California women’s access to safe and legal abortion even if federal protections are weakened.

AB 134, SB 265 and SB 784 to increase protections for survivors of domestic violence; SB 1385 and 1441 to provide better counseling and legal relief for survivors of domestic violence.

Released the Family Law e-book: Disorder in the Court: Mothers and their Allies Take on the Family Law System.

AJR 85 declaring the California Legislature’s opposition to any federal enactment designed to discriminate against same-sex couples and their families; AB 205 to provide rights benefits and responsibilities to registered domestic partners.

Bringing suit against California high schools and colleges which were not in compliance with Title IX (Athletic Equity) protections for female students; CA NOW won a consent decree against the California State University system.

Co-sponsored AB 76, which protects employees from sexual harassment by clients or customers.
SB 71 to ensure accurate and comprehensive sex education in public schools.

Worked on AB 22 and SB 180 to prevent human trafficking, protect victims, and prosecute traffickers.
AB 114 and AB 118 to protect child victims of abuse.

AB 478 to ensure full prenatal care for incarcerated women who are pregnant and AB 550 to protect all inmates and wards from sexual abuse.

Chapters all across the state have brought about positive change at the local level as well. You can get involved! Contact your local chapter to join California NOW in working for equality.