SAN FRANCISCO, Calif., Oct. 28, 2013—The Women’s Foundation of California announced today that 25 community and nonprofit leaders have been selected to participate in the 2013-14 class of the Women’s Policy Institute. The Women’s Policy Institute is a groundbreaking program that brings women’s expertise to the legislative process while increasing the number of policies that address the needs of women and families.
“Our communities lose when more women aren’t involved in all aspects of policy making,” said Judy Patrick, president and CEO of the Women’s Foundation of California. “The Women’s Policy Institute teaches women leaders how to work with legislators on promising solutions to our state’s most pressing problems. Every year, I am really hopeful as we welcome our new participants. This year is especially exciting because we’re launching three new teams—workforce development, safety net programs, and college and career access.”
For a list of this year’s fellows, click here.
Over the past 10 years, the Women’s Policy Institute has transformed nearly 300 women into effective policy advocates and resulted in 20 legislative victories. In 2013, Governor Jerry Brown signed into law three bills that Women’s Policy Institute fellows worked on, including the California Domestic Worker Bill of Rights, which provides overtime pay to housekeepers, childcare providers, and caregivers. More than 90 percent of domestic workers in California are women.
Every year, fellows represent the diversity of California, working in communities across the state and ranging in age from mid 20s to over sixty. They bring strong leadership skills and deep issue knowledge about health care, domestic violence, reproductive justice, criminal justice, economic opportunity, education—all issues that have an impact on the well-being of women and their families. Selected fellows go through an intensive experiential yearlong training, getting the information, access, experience and mentorship they need to understand, create and change public policy.
With support from Atlantic Philanthropies, the Women’s Policy Institute now has been replicated in five states: Wisconsin, Georgia, New Jersey, Illinois and Rhode Island.