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The Official Newsletter of the
Washington State Women's Commission
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March 2025 Recap
 Governor Ferguson Signed Proclamation Recognizing March 2025 as Women's History Month in Washington
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On March 14th, Governor Bob Ferguson signed a proclamation naming a few of the many ways women have worked to build a more equitable and just society for all through education, leadership, and community-building.
The celebration of women’s history is an acknowledgment of the often overlooked and undervalued contributions of women and also a call to action to ensure that future generations inherit a world where gender equity is not a goal but a reality.
Click to read the full text:
Women's History Month Proclamation
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Doing the Work: Women’s History Month Organization Spotlight
For Women's History Month 2025, we continued our tradition of celebrating organizations that provide vital services to protect, empower, and care for women and girls across Washington in our second annual “Doing the Work’ series.
This year, we spotlighted three incredible organizations: Mother Nation, Mujeres in Action, and New Connections —each of which works tirelessly to uplift women through a holistic, and trauma-informed lens.
With 3.8 million women in the state, their collective effort, alongside the dozens of other organizations dedicated to women & girls, are invaluable.
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Mother Nation:
Indigenous Resilience and Holistic Healing
Indigenous communities have long endured the profound impacts of colonization, displacement, and systemic oppression, resulting in intergenerational trauma. Mother Nation, a Native-led nonprofit based in Washington, "walks alongside" Native women and families as they provide holistic services and culturally rooted support to restore balance and empower Indigenous voices... Read more at wswc.wa.gov.
Information, photos provided by Yvette Perrantes, Communications & Grant Manager, Mother Nation.
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Mujeres in Action:
Bridging Gaps and Reshaping Systems for Spanish-Speaking Survivors
In 2018, Mujeres in Action (MiA) was founded in response to the clear gap in victim services for the growing Spanish-speaking and immigrant population in Spokane. Now, MiA bridges language and cultural barriers to assist survivors of domestic and sexual violence navigate the complexities and red tape of accessing resources vital to their safety, health, and well-being... Read more at wswc.wa.gov.
Information, photos provided by Ana Trusty, Director of Communications, Mujeres in Action (MiA).
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New Connections:
Addressing Barriers to Break the Reentry Cycle
For over 20 years, New Connections has provided holistic support and comprehensive resources that address the immediate needs of women reintegrating into the community and account for the complex barriers that contribute to the cycle of reentry, while working to create a society where incarceration is rare, brief, and non-recurring... Read more at wswc.wa.gov.
Information, photos provided by Jessica Means, Executive Director, New Connections Tacoma.
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Elected Officials, State Employees Welcome Girls to the WA State Capitol
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On March 13th, 40 middle and high school students from Centralia High School, Oakville School District, Olympia High School, and George Bush Middle School gathered at the Washington State Capitol for "Girls on the Hill: Where STEM Meets Government."
This inspiring event was part of the Washington State Women’s Commission’s (WSWC) Activate 3.8 Campaign, an initiative designed to improve the social well-being and economic growth of 3.8 million Washington women... Read more at wswc.wa.gov.
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"Girls on the Hill" was done in partnership with Educational Service District (ESD) 113 and the Capital STEM Alliance. Learn more about the Washington STEM Network below!
Career Connect Washington
Supporting STEM Networks and LASER Alliances
- Washington STEM partners with Washington State LASER to ensure that state science leaders maintain a learning community that helps improve science education, removes barriers to implementation, and provide support at the school and district level.
Health Industry Leadership Table (HILT)
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2025 Legislative Session: Update
Of the bills the Washington State Women's Commission (WSWC) has highlighted in our 'Session Spotlights' the following are alive.
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2SSB 5217 Pregnancy Accommodations - Scheduled for public hearing in the House Committee on Appropriations April 5th.
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SSB 5104 Workplace Coercion Protections - Scheduled for public hearing in the House Committee on Appropriations April 3rd.
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2SSB 5358 Career & Technical Education in 6th Grade - Scheduled for public hearing in the House Committee on Appropriations April 2nd.
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2SSB 5355 Higher Education Safety for Student Survivors - In House Rules Committee
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ESHB 1291 Maternity Services Costs Sharing - In Senate Rules Committee
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SB 5490 Jail Searches and Gender - Referred to House Rules Committee
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SSB 5557 Pregnancy & emergency treatment - In House Rules Committee
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SB 5632 Protecting confidentiality in the Shield Law - In House Rules Committee
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SHB 1817 Supporting survivors of sexual assault in public elementary and secondary schools - In House Rules Committee
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SB 5498 Concerning Contraceptive Coverage - In House Rules Committee
For the full status report, including spotlighted bills that have 'died' during session and are no longer moving forward, head to wswc.wa.gov/session-spotlights.
Resource Highlight
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Black Maternal Health
Black Maternal Health Week takes place April 11th to April 17th. Held intentionally during Minority Health Month, this week-long campaign aims to raise awareness, activism, and community-building around the experiences of Black mothers, expectant parents, and birthing people.
This year's theme is “Healing Legacies: Strengthening Black Maternal Health Through Collective Action and Advocacy."
Events:
- The Shades of Motherhood Network in Spokane is hosting events every day in partnership with organizations across the region.
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King County Black Providers Network
Resources:
For a list of providers and organizations who can support pregnant people with marginalized identities in Washington, head to this link.
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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.
Resources for Transgender and Gender Non-Conforming Individuals
March 31st marked Transgender Day of Visibility in Washington State and across the nation. Check out the Governor's proclamation here and find resources for transgender and gender non-conforming individuals are below.
Washington Women, Infants, and Children (WIC)
chosen for online ordering pilot program with Walmart
Washington state families enrolled in the Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) Nutrition Program can now use their benefits to order WIC-approved foods online from Walmart stores in Washington, thanks to a new pilot program.
After adding their WIC card to their free Walmart account at www.walmart.com/WIC or through the Walmart mobile app, Washington WIC participants can shop for WIC-approved items, which are also called out on the site for ease, such as infant formula, eggs, and fruits and vegetables.
Funding Opportunity for Service Providers
Eligible applicants that directly support people who have been hurt or harmed by crimes other
than sexual assault and domestic violence can apply for funding through the Department of Commerce.
Funded programs must ensure that support is inclusive and accessible to everyone, regardless of background, language, or ability. The goal of this grant is to expand available services for individuals hurt or harmed by crime and increase awareness of the resources available to individuals and communities.
Closing Date: May 5, 2025, at 5:00 p.m. PT
Funding Opportunity for Tribal Service Providers
Eligible* tribal victim service providers can apply for funding that supports individuals who have been hurt or harmed in their communities. Priority will be given to areas where services are currently unavailable or inadequate.
The Office of Crime Victims Advocacy (OVCA) Tribal Government Initiative grant funds programs that address the emotional, psychological and physical needs of crime victims, help them regain stability, assist in navigating the civil and criminal justice systems, and restore a sense of security and safety. This funding, made possible through federal VOCA victim assistance funds, is designed to expand, enhance and sustain essential victim services.
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Bidder’s Conference to address applicants' questions: April 15 at 11 a.m. PT
- View and download application materials.
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Funding cycle for this application: July 1, 2025 – June 30, 2028
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Closing Date: May 1, 2025, at 5:00 p.m. PT
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Upcoming Events
Women at the Capitol:
Discussing & Advocating for Key Issues Affecting Women
The Center for Women and Democracy (CWD) will host their annual 'Women at the Capitol' event on Thursday April 17th at the Washington State Capitol in Olympia. During this event, you'll spend the day with some incredible women, girls, and allies to learn how our government is promoting and progressing rights and opportunities for women and girls in Washington State.
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Program:
- 1:30pm - Tea with the State Supreme Court Justices
- 3:30pm - Private campus tour & meeting elected officials
- 5:30pm - Reception with food & wine at the Governor's Mansion
- Transportation from Seattle available!
- Learn more.
Seattle King County Free Clinic
The Seattle/King County Free Clinic will be held April 24 - April 27. For four days at the Seattle Center this volunteer driven free health clinic will offer expansive dental, vision, and medical treatment and services and assistance with social resources.
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No ID or proof of income, insurance, or immigration status is required to seek care
- Patients do not need to be residents of Seattle or King County
- Interpreters are available
- Tickets are distributed day of on a first come first serve basis.
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Learn more and download flyers available in 13 languages!
"Voces de Esperanza" Gala
Unidos Nueva Alianza (UNA) is preparing to host their first ever Gala, "Voces de Esperanza" (Voices of Hope). UNA provides essential resources to Hispanic/Latinx, immigrants, refugees, agriculture/farm workers, LGBTQ+, low-income, disabled, and systemically marginalized and underserved communities in Central Washington.
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When: May 9, 2025 4:00pm - 7:00pm
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Where: Quincy, WA 98848
- Learn more.
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