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:
AB 2759
Domestic violence protective orders:
possession of a firearm.
Author Asm. Petrie-Norris
Presents a comprehensive set of revisions aimed at enhancing the fairness, consistency, and overall efficacy of the law on firearm restrictions, while concurrently bolstering protections for survivors of domestic violence and the broader public.
Edith Rico
Project Director, Fresno Building Healthy Communities
Natalia Gottschalk
Work and Family Program Advocate, Legal Aid at Work
Clementine Ellis
Special Campaign Administrator, Lumina Alliance
Asha Wasuge
Development and Operational Manager, Miriam’s House LA
Jobi Wood
Program Manager, Family Assistance Program
AB 2527
Incarceration: pregnant persons.
Author Asm. Bauer-Kahn
Ensures that incarcerated pregnant individuals in county detention facilities and state prisons have access to nutritious meals and clean, free water of high quality. It also seeks to prohibit the use of solitary confinement for pregnant individuals who are incarcerated.
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Minerva Campos
Community Organizer, Essie Justice Group
Stephanie Flores
2023 Campaign Regional Team Leads, Essie Justice Group
Darcie Green
Executive Director, Latinas Contra Cancer
Janet Hughes
Statewide Strategy Team, Essie Justice Group
Betty McKay
Membership & Wellness Coordinator, Essie Justice Coordinator
paradyse oakley
Essie Sister, Essie Justice Group
AB 2136
Controlled substances: analyzing & testing.
Author Asm. Jones-Sawyer
Facilitates the expansion of drug-checking services within public health departments and their partners by eliminating legal barriers within their jurisdiction and dismantling any provisions that criminalize such services.
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Isabel Lopez
Founder & Executive Director, Raizes Collective
Thuy Do
California Program Manager, Southeast Asia Resource Action Center (SEARAC)
Daniela Alvarenga
Economic Justice Policy Coordinator, California Immigrant Policy Center (CIPC)
Patrice Berry
Chief Impact Officer, End Poverty in CA (EPIC)
Marina Quintanilla
Youth Advocacy and Engagement Manager, California School-Based Health Alliance
AB 2785
Tenancy: application fees & security deposits.
Author Asm. Lori Wilson
Caps rental application fees at $50, requiring clear refund policy language on application forms, and mandating landlords to deposit security deposits in interest-bearing bank accounts with tenants listed as beneficiaries.
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Aileen Arellano
Southern California Regional Organizer, NARAL Pro-Choice California
Xochitl Lopez-Ayala
Policy Advocacy Coordinator, ACCESS Reproductive Justice
Clarissa Ramirez
Policy Manager, California Latinas for Reproductive Justice
Kimberly Robinson
Community Liaison, Black Women for Wellness
Faith Chinnapong
Senior California State Organizer, URGE: Unite for Reproductive and Gender Equity
Xenia Vidal
Campaign Manager at Planned Parenthood Affiliates of California