Solís Policy Institute - State
What We Do

Solís Policy Institute – State

The Dr. Beatriz María Solís Policy Institute (SPI) State is a policy advocacy and leadership training fellowship for advocates and activists who work in non-profit or grassroots organizations.

We accept applications from genderqueer and non-binary people, cisgender and transgender women, and transgender men, especially BIPOC folks, who want to build their skills, on behalf of their organizations, to influence public policymaking at the state level.

At its core, SPI-State affirms that the people closest to the problems and harm should be centered and shaping the solutions to address them. SPI-State seeks to diversify the policy arena by building the leadership of people impacted by gender-based oppression, violence, and discrimination. Each year the WFC chooses specific intersectional issue areas for SPI fellows to advance. Check out our past policy wins.

SPI-State Issue Areas:

The Women’s Foundation California’s Solís Policy Institute (SPI) focuses on shaping just policies that will positively impact the lives of non-binary and genderqueer people, cisgender and transgender women, and transgender men in California. This year, SPI-State aims to feature teams working to address racism, anti-Blackness, and cis-hetero-patriarchy through the following specific areas:

Working to address the harmful and oppressive impacts that the justice system has on the lives of Californians, especially those impacted by gender injustice.

Titilayọ Rasaki

Policy & Campaign Strategist, La Defensa

Simelia Rogers

Program Coordinator, Ella Baker Center for Human Rights

Chantille Tran

RESTOR Program Manager, RYSE

Elias Vasquez

Legal Case Manager, Miss Major Alexander Lee TGIJP Black Trans Cultural Center

Aidee Zuno

Assistant Director, Rising Communities

Working or supporting programs that improve the economic security of Californians, especially from grassroots leaders and community organizations that focus on individuals impacted by systemic gender-based discrimination. This includes organizing low-wage and informal workers, advocating for better implementation of safety net programs, local workforce development, and the promotion of small business ownership.

Beatriz Hernandez

Senior Statewide Organizing Fellow, California Immigrant Policy Center

Celine Lopez

Program Coordinator, Community Economic Empowerment San Joaquin Community Foundation

Maria Moreno

Senior Campaign Coordinator, Workers' Rights Jobs with Justice San Francisco

Kel O’Hara

Senior Attorney, Policy & Education Equity Equal Rights Advocates

Tracee Porter

Self-employed Lived-Experience Expert, The Social Impact Center

Working to support programs that expand and protect the rights of all people to make informed decisions about and exercise control over their sexual and reproductive lives.

Ace Anaya

Campaign Coordinator, Gender Justice LA

Monica Acevedo Guerrero

Program Manager, Lead Coach All Children Thrive, Public Health Advocates

Sofia Bastida

Civic Engagement Organizer, PODER SF

Guadalupe Rojas

Community Organizer, Transportation Justice, Mid-City Community Advocacy Network

Astin Williams

Program Coordinator, CA LGBTQ Health and Human Services Network

Working to improve the safety and economic security of survivors of gender-based violence who are experiencing homelessness or housing insecurity.

Halona Alexander

Public Policy Educator, Strong Hearted Native Women's Coalition, Inc.

TK Cross

Self-employed

Lila Gitesatani

Staff Attorney National Housing Law Project

Sadia Khan

Policy Advocate, Family Violence Law Center

Khloè Rios-Wyatt

CEO, Alianza Translatinx

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