The Dr. Beatriz María Solís Policy Institute (formerly Women’s Policy Institute) celebrates a woman who spent her too-brief life nurturing the transformative power of community. Dr. Beatriz María Solís’ deep commitment to women and girls of color and gender expansive folks across the state is powerfully reflected in the policy advocacy program that now bears her name.
For nearly two decades, the Solís Policy Institute has fundamentally shifted the public policy landscape in California by changing who has access to the halls of power.
Center community. Build mentorship. Change Policy. Practice love.
About Dr. Beatriz
María Solís
María Solís
A fierce mentor and expansive dreamer, Dr. Beatriz María Solís was clear in her purpose and steadfast in her commitment to justice. Known mostly by her nickname Bea, she dedicated herself to building healthy communities. Her decades of work as the Program Director at The California Endowment was a natural extension of her vision and values.
She pushed herself and her colleagues to invest boldly in women and women of color as community changemakers. She aimed to follow the lead of women most impacted by oppression and encouraged her colleagues to do the same. Bea is remembered for the beautiful example she set for so many translating love into justice whether at her alma mater UCLA, in her philanthropic work, or in how she raised her family.
Bea Solís passed away in March of 2020 after a long struggle with ovarian cancer. She lives on in our hearts and in the continued work of the Solís Policy Institute to build a feminist future in California. We are deeply grateful to Bea’s family – her husband Mohammad and her two sons, Avrin and Aydin – for entrusting Women’s Foundation California to carry forward Bea’s powerful legacy in California and beyond.
“I have an internal compass that is deep. I focus on the most impacted people at my core, it steers me. Being clear about my purpose is my north star.”
— Bea Solís
The California Endowment
$3 Million Founding Investment
The California Endowment’s mission is to expand access to affordable, quality health care for underserved individuals and communities and to promote fundamental improvements in the health status of all Californians.
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The California Wellness Foundation
$250,000 Founding Investment
As California grows, and the needs of those in our communities change, so does the opportunity to meet new challenges with integrity, partnership, equity, and a renewed sense of what is possible.
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The Blue Shield of California Foundation
$50,000 Founding Investment
The Blue Shield of California Foundation believes in a future that is not yet here. And through investing in the partnerships, they strive to make such a future possible including building lasting and equitable solutions to make California the healthiest state and end domestic violence.
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The James Irvine Foundation
$50,000 Founding Investment
The James Irvine Foundation’s singular goal is a California where all low-income workers have the power to advance economically.
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The Compton Foundation
$30,000 Founding Investment
The Compton Foundation ignites change. The Foundation supports transformative leadership and courageous storytelling, inspiring action toward a peaceful, just, sustainable future.
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Hispanics in Philanthropy
$25,000 Founding Investment
Hispanics in Philanthropy is strengthening Latinx leadership, influence and equity by leveraging philanthropic resources, and doing so with an unwavering vision on social justice and shared prosperity across the Americas.
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The Stuart Foundation
$10,000 Founding Investment
The Stuart Foundation is dedicated to improving life outcomes for young people through education. We work to ensure that effective education systems in California and Washington provide opportunities for all students to learn, achieve, and thrive.
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The Ralph M. Parsons Foundation
$10,000 Founding Investment
The Ralph M. Parsons Foundation improves the well-being of the residents of Los Angeles County through responsive grantmaking in human services, civic and cultural, education, and health.
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| Aasia Stormm Aileen Adams Belinda Smith Walker Caitlin Brune Carol Banquer Crystal Crawford Dianne Yamashiro-Omi Ellen LaPointe Elmy Bermejo Henry Ramos Jai and Kent Wong Jasmine Sanchez Jennifer Ybarra Joel Perez |
Julia Rabinovitz Kamika Dunlap Kathleen Sanchez Laura Alberti Lee Draper Libby Benedict Lindsay Gervacio Mazuri Colley Rena Orenstein Stephanie Green Surina Khan & Jennifer Terry Tara Westman Tina Winters |
BE(A) PART OF THE CAUSE
Dr. Beatriz María Solís Memorial Endowment Fund
The feminist future we are building together is a multigenerational endeavor. As we strive to advance racial, economic, and gender justice today, we are keeping our eyes on the horizon. We are co-creating the resources, relationships, and investments we need to continue to nurture healthy communities and transform political landscapes well into the future.
This work is strengthened through The Dr. Beatriz María Solís Memorial Endowment Fund, a living and permanent recognition of Bea and her impact on California. The fund celebrates her legacy in perpetuity and ensures the next generation of community leaders will be well resourced for the work ahead.
Join us in making Women’s Foundation California the home for Bea’s legacy. Make a contribution today and invest in our feminist tomorrow.
Moving Beyond The Binary
Our new Solís Policy Institute celebrates Bea’s commitment to championing the leadership of self-identifying women and girls of color and gender expansive folks across the state. Renaming the Institute honors Bea’s legacy and brings greater alignment to our gender inclusive work at the Foundation. The fellows who participate in the Solís Policy Institute identify with a broad range of gender expressions and identities and we are grateful that the Institute’s new name will be a more accurate reflection of our community and our values.