 Reclaiming Women’s Stories in the Places We Love
Across our nation’s history, women have shaped movements, protected communities, and led with courage. Yet their names are too often missing from the places meant to honor our shared story. We remember Paul Revere, but far fewer know Sybil Ludington, the young girl who rode twice as far to warn American troops. Her story, like so many others, has been pushed to the margins of public memory.
This pattern continues in the world around us. Out of thousands of public spaces across the country, only a small fraction are named after women. It is a striking reminder that even when women lead in environmental justice, conservation, and land stewardship, their contributions are rarely reflected in the names of the places we cherish.
California offers powerful examples of women whose legacies are remembered and celebrated.
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Ruby Van Deventer County Park in Crescent City is a 54‑acre park dedicated to Mrs. Ruby Van Deventer. She co‑founded the local Historical Society, taught for 30 years, and helped catalog thousands of plant species for the county.
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McLaughlin Eastshore State Park in Alameda and Contra Costa Counties honors Sylvia McLaughlin, the environmentalist who co-founded Save the San Francisco Bay Association. Her advocacy helped protect the shoreline and secure the sweeping views of the Golden Gate Bridge that visitors enjoy today.
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Forest of Nisene Marks State Park in Santa Cruz County honors Nisene Marks, a Danish immigrant and businesswoman whose children donated nearly ten thousand acres in her memory.
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Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park in Monterey County is named after a respected Big Sur rancher and conservationist whose love for the coastline helped preserve one of the most breathtaking stretches of California.
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Zmudowski State Beach in Monterey County recognizes Mary Zmudowski, a dedicated educator and conservationist. This remote beach, known for its dunes and undeveloped coastline, requires a four-wheel drive to reach, but rewards visitors with quiet beauty.
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Dolores Huerta Park is a 4.5-acre community space located in Fresno, named in honor of the legendary civil rights and farm labor movement icon.
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Kate Sessions Memorial Park is in Pacific Beach/La Jolla and named after Kate O. Sessions, the famous botanist and horticulturist known as the "Mother of Balboa Park.”
These parks remind us that women have always been central to the protection of our natural spaces. They fought for access, preservation, and representation, and their leadership continues to shape the landscapes we enjoy.
The Commission remains committed to shining a light on disparities like these. We also see this work as an invitation to reconnect with the stories of women who shaped our communities and our environment. Whether you are taking your family on a weekend hike, planning a solo retreat, or gathering friends for a day trip, these parks offer more than recreation. They offer remembrance. They remind us that every vista, shoreline, and shaded path is strengthened by the contributions of women who pushed for access, preservation, and representation. California carries the legacy of women who made these spaces possible and offers an opportunity to remember the women who blazed trails in our shared history.
Celebrating women’s leadership does not require a special occasion. It requires a willingness to pause, to name what has been forgotten, and to carry these legacies forward with intention. When we remember women, we restore balance to our shared history and ensure that future generations grow up seeing themselves reflected in the world around them.
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Thank you for joining us in this work. And as you head out to enjoy California’s beautiful open spaces, look for the women who made California’s story unique.
Darcy Totten
Executive Director
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 YAC Application Period Closed
Thank you to all the girls who applied for our Youth Advisory Council. The 2026-2027 YAC application cycle has now closed. We received more than 230 applications for this cohort! Applicants can expect to hear back on the status of their applications later this fall. Please monitor your email for application updates.
Youth Mental Health Resources: Soluna and BrightLife Kids
California’s youth can access free, confidential mental health support through the Soluna app for teens and young adults (ages 13–25) or BrightLife Kids for children and caregivers (ages 0–12). Both statewide CalHOPE platforms are funded by California, requiring no insurance or referrals.
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Back to School: Backpack Drives
With the start of school nearing, school supplies and backpacks drives provide families in need with a vital resource. Hundreds of backpack drives are in full swing across California: Los Angeles, Long Beach, Lancaster, Modesto, and more.
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Commitment to Combatting Sex Trafficking
 California is making meaningful progress in the fight against sex trafficking. On July 20, 2026, Governor Gavin Newsom issued an Executive Order establishing a coordinated, statewide roadmap designed to expand survivor centered services, improve early identification of exploitation, and strengthen collaboration across departments, local partners, tribal governments, and survivor informed organizations.
The California Commission on the Status of Women and Girls is proud to be one of the agency partners developing this roadmap. Following the Executive Order signing, the Office of the First Partner, through the California Love, California Strong initiative, hosted a convening at City of Refuge. Executive Director Darcy Totten joined Commissioner Nisha Devi Rodrigo and the First Partner in reaffirming California’s commitment to building community, fostering connection, and centering survivor voices.
Help Us Support AB 1276 to Ban Child Marriage
“Girls are at particularly high risk of experiencing domestic violence, homelessness, financial dependency, lack of accessing higher education, and other abuse,” stated Totten.
California remains one of three remaining states in the U.S. without a minimum age to marry, making this legislation critical in protecting the health, economic security, education, and safety of the state’s girls. Others who testified in support included survivors of child marriage and the bill passed out of Senate Judiciary with bi-partisan support on a 12-1 vote.
Help us continue the bill’s momentum! Send in letters of support to using the California Legislature Position Letter Portal. Letters are due by Tuesday, August 4th by the end of the business day.
Legislative Update
On July 2, 2026, the California Legislature concluded policy committee hearings for bills being voted on in the second house. All bills have subsequently moved to be considered for their financial impact in the Appropriations Committee or to the floor for a vote in the second house.
The Commission continues to support dozens of bills related to education, human trafficking, domestic violence, healthcare, mental health, childcare, and many other areas. Support letters from partners continue to be deeply appreciated as bills await to be heard in their fiscal committees. The Commission’s full bill list can be found on our website. Supporters may submit letters using the California Legislature Position Letter Portal.
You're Invited: Quarterly Convening Update
Join the California Commission on the Status of Women and Girls for a virtual policy update on August 10, 2026 at 2:00 pm. We will share the latest on the effort to ban child marriage bill, AB 1267 (Pellerin), and how you can get involved, learn more about the Commission’s Women and Girls Advocacy Day in March 2027, a briefing on gender-responsive budgeting, and more. Register for the session on our website.
NAWBO Sacramento Valley’s “From Dream to Reality” Education Series
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Session 1: From Idea to Action: Chair Dr. Rita Gallardo Good discusses mentorship pathways.
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Session 2: Ready to Launch: Commissioner Assemblymember Stephanie Nguyen covers licensing, permitting, and compliance.
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Session 3: Thrive: First Vice Chair Nisha Devi Rodrigo shares tips for staying healthy as an entrepreneur.
Central California Women’s Conference 2026
Save the date! The Central California Women’s Conference returns to Fresno on Tuesday, September 15. Enjoy inspiring speakers, learning sessions, networking, delicious food, and a lively marketplace. Whether you’re seeking personal or professional growth, you’ll leave energized to make a difference. Learn more about the event on their website.
Women in Power Spaces (WiPS) Convening
Hosted by North Orange County Community College District, the WiPS Convening on September 17, 2026 will explore gender gaps in wealth, politics, empowerment, and creativity, with a focus on practical solutions. Register for the event.
Powered by Women LIVE
Powered by Women LIVE is a three-day business conference for women founders and entrepreneurs running September 25–27, 2026 at the Sacramento State - Union Ballroom/The University Union in Sacramento. Use the discount code SPEAKER50 for $50 off any General Admission or VIP ticket to PW LIVE 2026.
News & Review Features the Commission's Policy Priorities
The News & Review highlights the Commission’s work as an independent California agency advocating for policies that improve safety, health, economic stability, and opportunities for women and girls.
Recent priorities include supporting legislation to prohibit workplace discrimination related to menopause, set a minimum marriage age of 18, strengthen restraining order protections, and recognize military protective orders in civilian courts.
Read the article: Championing Policies that Power Progress.
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The Jacquelyn Podcast Highlights What Makes Change Possible
Executive Director Darcy Totten discusses the progress women have made across the board, from financial independence to entrepreneurship, while emphasizing that the journey toward equity continues. On the podcast, Totten explores what it takes to drive real change, the importance of representation, turning complex policy data into compelling stories, and the historic wealth transfer to women that could reshape the economy. Listen to the podcast.
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Join Us: Advocacy Day – March 2027
This landmark event will mark the first time in many years that women’s and girls’ organizations from across the entire state come together at the Capitol to advocate collectively for policies that improve the lives of women and girls. It will bring together leaders, advocates, community partners, and statewide organizations dedicated to uplifting women’s voices, advancing equity, and driving meaningful policy and community change.
Through educational sessions, advocacy engagement, and collaborative dialogue, this event will empower participants to take action on the issues that matter most in our communities and highlight pathways to real, lasting change. Register to attend 2027 Advocacy Day.
We’re currently looking for sponsors and partners for the event. Reach out to info@women.ca.gov for more info.
 Black Women’s Equal Pay Day
Black Women’s Equal Pay Day on July 21 marked the glaring wage disparities that exist today. Read the Commission's press release, highlighting how inequities reflect the structural barriers that continue to impact Black women’s economic security and opportunity.
Children and Youth Behavioral Health Initiative (CYBHI) Report
CYBHI highlights statewide shifts to prioritize young people and improve access to care, including:
- New pathways that enhance access and experience
- Innovative tools designed with and for youth
- Expanded services for wellness, substance use, and crisis prevention
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A growing, diversified workforce
Alliance for Girls: Research on Impact
Girls and gender-expansive youth across California are losing essential health care as nonprofits face funding cuts and political challenges. Alliance for Girls launched a first-of-its-kind effort to track how federal policies affect youth-serving organizations. Of $113 million in documented losses, $100 million came from groups focused on health care, reproductive health, and gender-affirming care.
 Women’s Equality Day in West Hollywood
Join the City of West Hollywood and its Women’s Advisory Board for Women’s Equality Day on Wednesday, August 26, from 6 to 9 p.m. at the West Hollywood City Council Chambers. The evening will feature guest speakers, a panel discussion, voting resources, and ways to get involved in protecting voting rights. Register for the event.
Deadline Soon: California Competes Tax Credit
Governor's Office of Business and Economic Development's (GoBiz) California Competes Tax Credit offers over $180 million in income tax credits to businesses of any size or industry that want to locate or grow in California. Applicants compete during three annual application periods and are evaluated on factors like job creation, investment, and strategic importance. Apply by August 10. For more information, visit their website.
CalKIDS Webinar
CalKIDS is a California state program that automatically creates scholarship accounts for children and families to help save for college or career training after high school. Children born in California starting July 1, 2022, and eligible public-school students receive CalKIDS Scholarship Accounts with an initial seed deposit. Sign up for their webinar on August 27 at 6pm to learn more!
 Learn About Some July Heritage/Awareness Topics
Commission in the News
California
Health and Safety
Workforce, Education, and Employment
Women in the News
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