October 2025 Newsletter - CA Commission on the Status of Women and Girls

 

California Girls Shaping the Future

At the California Commission on the Status of Women and Girls, we are continually inspired by the resilience and leadership of girls across our state. From classrooms to community centers, from advocacy campaigns to innovation labs, California’s girls are shaping the future with courage and conviction. 

Their voices are powerful. Their ideas are bold. And their impact is undeniable. 

We see girls leading healthcare change, championing equity, excelling in STEM, and standing up for justice in their schools and neighborhoods. They are not just the leaders of tomorrow — they are leading today. 

Our work is rooted in the belief that when we invest in girls, we invest in a stronger, more inclusive California. That’s why we remain committed to creating opportunities, removing barriers, and amplifying the voices of girls in every corner of our state. 

Our Youth Advisory Council is proud to be leading the development of the Girl’s Agenda for California — a bold and inclusive conversation shaped directly by the voices of girls across our state. 

By centering youth perspectives, the Girl’s Agenda aims to inform policy, spark dialogue, and elevate the lived experiences of girls from all backgrounds. Stay tuned as we amplify our youth voices and work toward a California where every girl can thrive. 

Darcy Totten

Executive Director 

California Commission on the Status of Women and Girls

 

2024-25 Legislative Session Recap 

The Commission is excited to share that 13 commission-supported bills were signed into law by Governor Newsom! 

The Commission’s co-sponsored proposal, SB 642 (Limón) Pay Equity Enforcement Act was signed and will become effective on January 1, 2026. The bill clarifies what constitutes “wages,” allows workers to recover up to six years of lost pay, harmonizes the statute of limitations with other wage and antidiscrimination statutes, provides limits on how wide pay ranges may be in public job postings, and revises outdated gender-binary language. This represents a historic win for women and girls on the 10-year anniversary of the California Fair Pay Act in advancing pay equity and the enforcement of our rights in the workplace.  

We were proud to stand in solidarity alongside other advocates like Stronger California Advocates Network, Equal Rights Advocates, and the California Employment Lawyers Association as co-sponsors of this important measure. 

Other vital measures signed included AB 798 by Assemblymember and Commissioner Calderon, which now includes children’s diapers and wipes in the list of supplies under the State of Emergency Food Bank Reserve Program, and SB 702 by Senator and Commissioner Limón, which requires the Governor’s office to report aggregate demographic information voluntarily self-reported pertaining to ethnicity, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, and disability status amongst other information of appointed individuals beginning January 1, 2028.  

The Commission’s other supported measures included critical priorities aimed at women and girls’ socioeconomic mobility, equity in the workplace, unbridled access to healthcare, safety and security, educational attainment, and several other areas that address the unique challenges women and girls face in our state.  

Learn more about our co-sponsored bill and the 12 other legislative items signed by the Governor by visiting our website.  

 

California Convening of Commissions 

The California Commission on the Status of Women and Girls and the Los Angeles Commission for Women are co-hosting the California Convening of Commissions and Anniversary Celebration at Mount Saint Mary’s University on November 10.  

We are honored to bring together our local women’s commissions for the first time in many years to collectively shape future goals and policy priorities for women and girls in California - a pivotal moment to connect, collaborate, and build a stronger, unified voice that transcends regional boundaries. Women’s commissions and organizations have consistently been the champions for equity, access, and justice - the spear and the shield in the fight for progress. Through tireless effort, we’ve created change that leapfrogged over challenges and used grit to power through adversity. We recognize that our greatest strength lies in our ability to come together. By sharing ideas and aligning our efforts, we transform bold visions into impactful actions. This convening provides the opportunity to create a plan of action for the years ahead.  

Commission Meeting 

The next full Commission meeting is November 19 at 10 am in Sacramento. The Commission will be celebrating its diamond anniversary, recapping our Statewide Convening of Commissions, and discussing our legislative successes. The agenda will be available online closer to the date of the meeting.  

Youth Advisory Council Meeting 

At the next Youth Advisory Council (YAC) Meeting on November 20, our youth councilmembers will continue to discuss the Girl Agenda. The YAC will be virtual and you will be able to see the agenda on our website, once it’s posted. 

 

Girls to the Front 

Sign Up for Emergency Alerts 

Be prepared for a disaster! Making and practicing your emergency plan is the best way to ensure everyone's safety. Prepare yourself, stay aware of the conditions around you, check on neighbors and loved ones, keep your emergency kit well stocked, and stay informed about the latest conditions. In an emergency, you need to know what is going on. You need to know what to do and when to do it.  

 

Girl Scouts STEM and Day of the Girl 

Thank you to our partners Girl Scouts Heart of Central California and Girl Scouts of Northern California for inviting the Commission to participate in their STEM center dedication ceremony and International Day of the Girl workshop.  

At the unveiling of the Kristin Anne Chapman-Elbon Center, named in honor of the late Girl Scout who specialized in engineering, Dr. Linda Farley, CEO of Girl Scouts Heart of Central California described Kristy’s passion and dedication for engineering and commitment to the girl scout ideals. 

It’s vital that girls have a safe avenue to explore STEM. According to the Girl Scouts, as early as second grade, youth agree that “math is for boys, not girls,” a microaggression that has a lasting impact on their confidence in STEM fields. Women comprise about half of the total workforce, but only 34% of the STEM workforce, and have lower median salaries than their male counterparts. 

The newly updated center features interactive equipment designed to ignite the Scouts’ passion for STEM exploration. 

Shero’s Rise: The Cost of Being a Girl 

The Commission’s Executive Director Darcy Totten participated in a panel discussion alongside Dr. Krishauna Hines-Gaither, Vice President of Strategic Initiatives and Partnerships at Mount Saint Mary's University; Holly Martinez, Chief of Staff to California’s First Partner Jennifer Siebel Newsom; and Brandi Bakewell, Executive President of the Los Angeles Sentinel Newspaper focusing on the emotional, physical, and financial costs associated with being a girl. Dr. Hines-Gaither shared insights from MSMU’s annual Report on the Status of Women and Girls, highlighting how economic and societal pressures impact girls’ personal development. She also offered valuable tips to help counteract these challenges. Our Executive Director shared key moments from her personal journey that have positively influenced her professional career, which has inspired her to create opportunities for emerging women leaders.  

 

 California Victims Compensation Board Provides Financial Assistance to Survivors 

Track Your Ballot and Vote 

As a Promote the Vote partner with the California Secretary of State, we’re reminding you to remember to vote in the special election on November 4. Vote centers are open for early in-person voting in all Voter’s Choice Act counties beginning on October 25, 2025.  County elections office began mailing ballots for the special election on October 6.  

To make sure your ballot is counted, return it early by mail, drop box, or vote center. If you mail it, do it early — or walk it into the post office and request a postmark. Vote-by-mail ballots must be postmarked on or before Election Day and received by November 12, 2025. Learn more about voting in California at Elections and Voter Information: California Secretary of State.  

Women Lead: November Coffee Conversation