The coronavirus can’t stop the future of feminist policy!
We are proud to introduce two new classes:
- Women’s Policy Institute (WPI)- Local 2020-2021
- This powerhouse WPI-Local Class of 2021 marks two important “firsts” for the program; our first San Francisco team which also happens to be our first team focusing on trans rights and equity in local government.
- Funders Policy Institute (FPI) – 2020
- The 17 participants in this year’s FPI cohort will engage and learn directly from policymakers and advocates while connecting with other philanthropists who are committed to effective, policy-based grantmaking.
The welcoming of these two new cohorts comes amidst a host of new developments, adaptations, celebrations and victories across our policy work and programming.
Taking Training Online
In the face of COVID-19, we’ve been nimble and proactive in transitioning our in-person programs into an online format. In April, we launched our virtual trainings and welcomed the new WPI Local class of 2021 with 20 new fellows from across the state. We brought our new WPI-Local class together with our current WPI-State fellows last week for 3-day online retreat and programming.
Across Zoom meetings, our fellows participated in trainings like Local Government 101, Identities & Intersectionality, Policy Research, and got connected with dynamic individuals like WFC board member Senator Holly Mitchell and WFC board member and regional director of Northern California for the Office of the Governor Elmy Bermejo.
Celebrating Our 5th Graduating Class of WPI-Local Fellows
A special congratulations is in order to our 5th Women’s Policy Institute Local class who celebrated their graduation from the program earlier this year. This group represents five years of investment in community leaders and their capacity to transform the halls of power. Their work demonstrates how positive policy change can really make a difference in our everyday lives. See how the LA County Health Justice team pushed for expanding doula services to pregnant low-income women of color.
Making an Impact with Micro Grants
Part of our work with the WPI Alum network is providing micro-grants to former WPI fellows and their organizations so they can continue to advance critical work shaping local and state policy. Just last week, we released two micro-grants for projects with Incarcerated Youth Network and OneJustice.
Creating Policy Wins (By Phone)
Last week, Jonae Watts, a fellow from WPI-State Class of 2020, made history. When legislators returned to the Capitol last week, Jonae provided one of the first testimonies in our new virtual legislative reality, and she was the first WPI fellow to be heard on the Assembly floor. But, more importantly her testimony led to A.B. 3277 passing the Committee unanimously.