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The Official Newsletter of the
Washington State Women's Commission
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February 2025
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Celebrating Black History Month!
This Black History Month, we’re proud to highlight the work of our peer commission, the Commission on African American Affairs, and the opportunities they’ve shared to honor the history of Black people in the United States, engage with and change persisting systems of inequity, and uplift the voices of Black Washingtonians who are re-imagining and shaping a brighter future!
Events:
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The A Philip Randolph Institute Seattle Chapter presents African American Legislative Day 2025
When: Monday, February 17, 2025, 10:30 AM to 3:30 PM
Where: Washington State Capital Building
What: Engage in open discussions with state officials and seize the opportunity to voice key issues.
For details, questions and itinerary, email contact@apriseattle.org
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Northwest Passages and The Black Lens Presents: Spokane Black Voices 2025
When: Monday, Feb 10, 2025, 7:00 PM
Where: Myrtle Woldson Performing Arts Center, Coughlin Theater
502 East Boone Avenue
Spokane, WA 99258-0102
What: Celebrating Black History Month, Northwest Passages and The Black Lens present the fourth annual Spokane Black Voices Symposium. African American students from the Spokane area will be presenting their work, focused on the theme: Powered by Courage
Free Ticket will be required for each attendee, while supply lasts.
Click the link for more information.
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Young, Gifted & Black (YBG) is designed for African Americans and Black 10th & 11th graders interested in attending the University of Washington.
When: Thursday, February 13, 2025, 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM
Where: Samuel E. Kelly Ethnic Cultural Center, University of Washington
1410 NE Campus Parkway, Seattle, WA 98195-5852
Registration closes Monday, February 10th. Click the link to register!
Email reach@uw.edu with questions, concerns or to request an accommodation.
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Tacoma Community College Black Artists Exhibition
When: Feb. 10 - March 7, 2025
Where: The Gallery is located in Bldg. 4 at Tacoma Community College, near the corner of 12th and Mildred streets. Visitor Parking is available in Lot G.
What: Curated by a panel of art jurists, the exhibition features work by more than 20 South Sound artists.
Admission is free to the public. Click the link to learn more.
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Attention state employees! Have you heard about BUILD?
BUILD is a business resource group for members of the Black Community and their allies in Washington State service.
BUILD presents Black History Month: African Americans in Labor
When: Thurs. February 20, 2025, 12PM- Networking, 1PM - 3PM- Event
Where: Evergreen State College, Tacoma
Speakers: April Sims, President, Washington State Labor Council
Nathan Webster, College Professor
Chana Lawson, UW Tacoma Alumni Relations
Dr. Marica Tate Arunga, Dean at Evergreen State
Dr. Shamyka Sutton, Kahoot Facilitator
Click the link to register!
Love, Labor, & Liberation: The Story of Our Movement
BUILD also released a special newsletter in celebration of Black History Month featuring stories about African Americans leading labor movements across the country and here in Washington.
Take a look!
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Opportunities to engage with Commission Work
Apply to be a Women's Commissioner!
Did you know if you are aged 18 and above and identify as a woman, you qualify to be a Washington State Women's Commissioner?
WSWC is always accepting applications for Commissioner positions. We welcome applications from women of all backgrounds, including but not limited to race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, age, ability, and socioeconomic status.
If you're passionate about representing the voices of women and girls in your community and beyond, this is an incredible opportunity to make a difference. Help us shape policies and initiatives that empower and uplift women from all walks of life.
Interested?
Seeking organizations to spotlight for Women's History Month!
March is Women’s History Month, and we want to shine a spotlight on women-led organizations making a difference in the health, safety, and well-being of women and girls across Washington. If you know of an organization doing impactful work, let us know! We’ll be featuring them in a special social media series and on our website.
Send your nominations—including the organization's name and a contact person—to eliza.craig@wswc.wa.gov
Check out the incredible organizations we highlighted in our "Doing the Work" series from last year!
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2025 Legislative Session: January Review
Each week, WSWC posts a "Session Spotlight" on our social media platforms and 2025 Legislative Session website page. Each Session Spotlight highlights bills that could significantly impact women- and are up for action.
Check out a few of the bills that were up for action in the first 4 weeks of session.
Week 1:
HB 1090 - Contraceptive Coverage
- This legislation intends to require health plans to reimburse for a 12-month supply to all prescriptions of contraceptive drugs, not only refills.
Week 2:
SB 5104 – Workplace coercion protections
- This bill intends to protect employees by penalizing employers who violate pay or working conditions based on an employee’s or their family member’s immigration status. It also requires the Department of Labor and Industries to investigate complaints of this nature.
Week 3:
HB 1291 – Maternity Services Cost Sharing
- This legislation intends to make labor and delivery services more affordable by ensuring services can be offered before a deductible is met, and applying any payments made (like co-pays or co-insurance) towards the insured person’s deductible.
Week 4:
SB 5362 – Victims of Crime Act (VOCA) Funding
- SB 5362 seeks to provide a stable funding infrastructure for programs that support victims and survivors of crimes due to large declines in federal funding. This infrastructure would allow the Office of Crime Victims Advocacy to administer funds to more programs that provide support and assistance to individuals in need.
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Want to learn more? Listen to testimony shared by service providers and advocates for survivors during this week's public hearing on SB 5362.
Follow Along with Us!
You can find weekly updates on our Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, and website.
Resource Highlight
Lavender Rights Project
In addition to our Monthly Resource Roundup, we are providing information about a nonprofit based in the Seattle area that provides curated, community-based needs from Naturopathy referrals to housing justice: It’s the Lavendar Project! Specializing in the equitable stewardship of BIPOC LGBTQ+ folks including youth, take a look at the great work they are doing and spread the word about their services!
Lavender Rights Project
Housing Justice — Lavender Rights Project
Health:
Washington State League of Women Voters shares findings from Eldercare Study
Caregiving in Washington State: What exists and what is needed to support seniors and other vulnerable adults and their caregivers? A comprehensive study involving interviews with caregivers and elders presenting current and future needs and assessing resources required. Read the study.
Helpful links:
Support & Resources for Black and BIPOC Expectant Parents
This week, the CDC released new data on maternal health in the U.S. These findings show that severe disparities exist, especially for Black expectant parents.
Read the report for more information.
For a list of providers and organizations who can support pregnant people with marginalized identities in Washington, head to this link.
Each of these organizations specialize in providing culturally competent care for different groups including Native American, Immigrant, Pacific Islander, Transgender and Black communities and they have all received grants from the Washington State Department of Health's Birth Equity Project.
Safety:
Commission on Hispanic Affairs (CHA) shares resources on Rapid Response Hub
Their goal is to aid in the access of resources, tools and factual information. The Hub will be updated daily, and they welcome for suggestions on the type of information and resources you would like them to share.
La Comisión de Asuntos Hispanos del Estado de Washington compartan rescursos en El Centro de Informacion y Recursos
Su objetivo es facilitar el acceso a recursos, herramientas e información. Agradecen sus sugerencias sobre el tipo de información y recursos que desea que compartan.
The Office on Violence Against Women's FY2025 Transitional Housing Assistance Grant Program now open
The Transitional Housing Assistance Grant Program funds transitional housing and support services for victims who are homeless or in need of transitional housing or other housing assistance as a result of a situation of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, or stalking.
Grants.gov deadline: March 18, 2025 11:59 PM ET
JustGrants deadline: March 20, 2025, 8:59 PM ET
Read more and apply: https://lnkd.in/gteSdaCe
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