Page 16 - Ontario CA Conference Annual Report -_Neat

CALIFORNIA FEDERATION BUSINESS AND PROFESSIONAL WOMEN

Public Policy Committee Annual Report

Public policy and advocacy have been the cornerstone of our Federation since its
inception and our committee has continued our work in this area. The bill screening
committee has worked diligently throughout the year to research and review pending
legislation that affects us all as working women. Our Public Policy Conference provided
an opportunity for training and education on our focus issues and other items included
in our Public Policy Statement.

In the fall we received the approval of the Execu-
tive Committee to endorse Proposition 1 on the November
ballot. This state constitutional amendment was passed
by voters and codified the rights to women’s reproductive
justice in California.

Recognizing the struggles of our brave sisters in
Iran, the Public Policy Committee drafted and issued a
statement supporting their protests against human rights
violations. This statement reaffirmed our stand against violence and gender inequity
around the world.

This year CFBPW joined in partnership with the California Work and Family Coali-
tion, a group that shares many of the legislative goals of our organization. Elaine Sier-
ra, member of the Bill Screening Committee has been our liaison to this group.

The Annual Public Policy Conference, held in Sacramento in February, featured
a variety of speakers and workshops beginning with the highlights of conferences from
the past 63 years, presented by Past State President Trudy Waldroop. “Running and
Winning” was the theme of newly elected Citrus Heights City Council member Jane Taff,
as she shared her campaign experiences. Linda Wilson’s ERA workshop provided his-
torical, as well as updated, information on the Equal Rights Amendment.

Our Public Policy Conference also featured a panel discussion, Challenges to Our
Democracy and How Women Can Fight Back. Our distinguished panel members were
Carol Moon Goldberg, president of the California League of Women Voters and Cande-
laria Vargas, Director of Public Affairs, Planned Parenthood, Mar Monté.
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