National Womens Law Center

TO ADVANCE AND PROTECT WOMEN'S LEGAL RIGHTS.

TIME'S UP LEGAL DEFENSE FUND AND LEGAL NETWORK FOR GENDER EQUITYASSISTING WOMEN AND GIRLS WHO EXPERIENCE DISCRIMINATION- THE LEGAL NETWORK FOR GENDER EQUITY AND TIME'S UP LEGAL DEFENSE FUND CONNECTED OVER 800 PEOPLE WITH ATTORNEYS, FUNDED NEARLY 100 CASES SUPPORTING INDIVIDUALS CHALLENGING WORKPLACE SEX HARASSMENT, AND PROVIDED PR ASSISTANCE TO 30 PEOPLE.- THE TIME'S UP LEGAL DEFENSE FUND CONTINUED TO SUPPORT IMPORTANT VICTORIES IN CASES THAT SHAPE THE LAW FAVORABLY FOR SURVIVORS OF SEX HARASSMENT AND ABUSE. (TO BE CONTINUED IN SCHEDULE O.) - THE FUND PROVIDED SUPPORT IN CASES THAT EXPANDED STATE ANTI-DISCRIMINATION LAWS TO COVER LGBTQ DISCRIMINATION, REJECTED QUALIFIED IMMUNITY AS A DEFENSE FOR POLICE OFFICERS WHO ARRESTED A SURVIVOR FOR ALLEGEDLY MAKING A FALSE REPORT OF HER SEXUAL ASSAULT, AND PROTECTED SURVIVORS WHO FACED RETALIATION FOR SPEAKING TO THE PRESS ABOUT HARASSMENT AND ABUSE.- WITH FINANCIAL SUPPORT FROM THE TIME'S UP LEGAL DEFENSE FUND, A SEX HARASSMENT CASE AGAINST THE CHICAGO FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS SETTLED AFTER THREE YEARS OF LITIGATION FOR $1.8 MILLION DOLLARS. - THE FUND ALSO PROVIDED SUPPORT FOR A SEX HARASSMENT CASE AGAINST THE U.S. NAVY, WHICH WAS RESOLVED THROUGH A SETTLEMENT AGREEMENT THAT INCLUDES REQUIRED TRAINING FOR SUPERVISORS ABOUT SEX HARASSMENT, INCLUDING HARASSMENT DIRECTED AT NURSING WOMEN.

WORKPLACE JUSTICE AND EDUCATIONADDRESSING AND DISMANTLING WORKPLACE BARRIERS - LAUNCHED THE SURVIVORS' AGENDA, A MULTIRACIAL, DIGITAL INITIATIVE THAT BROUGHT SURVIVORS TOGETHER THROUGH VIRTUAL TOWN HALLS, KITCHEN TABLE CONVERSATIONS, AND ONLINE SURVEYS TO CREATE A PLATFORM THAT DRIVES POLICIES THAT BUILD A WORLD FREE OF SEXUAL VIOLENCE. - PUBLISHED 2020 PROGRESS UPDATE: METOO WORKPLACE REFORMS IN THE STATES, ANALYZING AND DESCRIBING STATE POLICY REFORMS ADDRESSING WORKPLACE HARASSMENT IN THE WAKE OF #METOO GOING VIRAL.(TO BE CONTINUED IN SCHEDULE O.)- PRODUCED MONTHLY REPORTS ON WOMEN'S UNEMPLOYMENT RATES AND LABOR FORCE PARTICIPATION RATES THAT WERE HEAVILY CITED IN THE MEDIA AND BY POLICYMAKERS, AS WELL AS DEEP DIVES INTO RACE AND GENDER WAGE GAPS IN THE CONTEXT OF THE PANDEMIC, LAYING THE GROUNDWORK FOR THE CRITICAL INVESTMENTS IN CAREGIVING INFRASTRUCTURE AND FAMILY ECONOMIC SECURITY. OUR ANALYSES DEMONSTRATED THE IMPACT OF THE PANDEMIC AND RECESSION ON WOMEN WORKERS.- PROVIDED INVITED TESTIMONY TO THE HOUSE COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION AND LABOR IN SUPPORT OF THE PAYCHECK FAIRNESS ACT, WHICH WOULD PROVIDE NEW PROTECTIONS AGAINST PAY DISCRIMINATION, AND THE PREGNANT WORKERS FAIRNESS ACT, WHICH WOULD ENSURE REASONABLE WORKPLACE ACCOMMODATIONS FOR PREGNANT WORKERS WHO NEED THEM; TO THE HOUSE FINANCIAL SERVICES COMMITTEE ON CLOSING RACE AND GENDER COMPENSATION GAPS; AND TO THE EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY COMMISSION ON THE EXPERIENCE OF WORKERS WITH FAMILY CAREGIVING RESPONSIBILITIES DURING THE PANDEMIC.- LED ADVOCACY THAT SUPPORTED PASSAGE OF THE PREGNANT WORKERS FAIRNESS ACT IN THE HOUSE IN BOTH THE 117TH AND 118TH CONGRESS WITH OVERWHELMING BIPARTISAN SUPPORT.- SUCCESSFULLY ADVOCATED TO THE EXECUTIVE BRANCH FOR AN INCREASE IN THE MINIMUM WAGE FOR WORKERS ON FEDERAL CONTRACTS TO $15 PER HOUR WITH ANNUAL INCREASES FOR INFLATION. THE CHANGE BENEFITS TIPPED WORKERS ON FEDERAL CONTRACTS TO RECEIVE THE FULL MINIMUM WAGE, BEFORE TIPS, BEGINNING IN 2024, WHICH WILL BOOST PAY FOR MORE THAN 327,000 WORKERS. - LED THE STOP HARASSMENT STATE NETWORK, PROVIDING PARTNERSHIP AND TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE TO STATE ADVOCATES SEEKING TO ADDRESS WORKPLACE HARASSMENT, LEADING TO BILL INTRODUCTIONS AND NEW PROTECTIONS IN MULTIPLE STATES . - SHAPED AND SUPPORTED EQUAL PAY LEGISLATION IN 12 STATES. ADVOCATED FOR THE SUCCESSFUL PASSAGE OF COMPREHENSIVE EQUAL PAY LEGISLATION IN RHODE ISLAND; LEGISLATION BANNING EMPLOYERS FROM ASKING APPLICANTS FOR THEIR SALARY AND REQUIRING EMPLOYERS TO PROVIDE THE SALARY RANGE TO JOB APPLICANTS IN NEVADA; AND LEGISLATION REQUIRING EMPLOYERS TO PROVIDE SALARY RANGES TO JOB APPLICANTS AND EMPLOYEES IN CONNECTICUT.- LAUNCHED WE, AS OURSELVES NARRATIVE CAMPAIGN IN COLLABORATION WITH 'ME TOO.' INTERNATIONAL AND TIME'S UP TO CHALLENGE AND SHIFT NARRATIVES ABOUT BLACK SURVIVORS OF SEXUAL VIOLENCE. ADDRESSING EDUCATIONAL BARRIERS FACED BY GIRLS AT THE MARGIN- PUBLISHED 100 SCHOOL DISTRICTS: A CALL TO ACTION FOR SCHOOL DISTRICTS ACROSS THE COUNTRY TO ADDRESS SEXUAL HARASSMENT THROUGH INCLUSIVE POLICIES AND PRACTICES WITH GIRLS FOR GENDER EQUITY. THIS REPORT AND AN ACCOMPANYING TOOLKIT FOR STUDENTS TO TAKE ACTION SETS OUT A PATH FOR SCHOOLS TO TAKE AN INNOVATIVE APPROACH TO PREVENT AND ADDRESS SEXUAL VIOLENCE. - WON COURT RULING IN VICTIM RIGHTS LAW CENTER V. DEVOS, WHICH VACATED PART OF A HARMFUL TITLE IX RULE THAT WEAKENED CIVIL RIGHTS PROTECTIONS AGAINST SEXUAL HARASSMENT IN SCHOOLS. THE JUDGE'S DECISION IN OUR LAWSUIT OVERTURNED THE PORTION OF THE RULE THAT PROHIBITED SCHOOLS ADDRESSING SEXUAL HARASSMENT FROM CONSIDERING POLICE REPORTS, MEDICAL RECORDS, AND OTHER WRITTEN STATEMENTS IF THE INDIVIDUAL WHO CREATED THIS WRITTEN EVIDENCE WAS NOT CROSS-EXAMINED DURING A LIVE HEARING. - HELPED STOP EFFORTS IN THE FINAL DAYS OF THE PREVIOUS ADMINISTRATION TO PROMULGATE FEDERAL RULES TO WEAKEN TITLE VI PROTECTIONS AGAINST RACIAL DISCRIMINATION, THROUGH ADVOCACY WITH FEDERAL AGENCIES AND IN THE PRESS.- PUBLISHED ". . . AND THEY CARED": HOW TO CREATE BETTER, SAFER LEARNING ENVIRONMENTS FOR GIRLS OF COLOR, WHICH PROVIDES RESEARCH, CASE STUDIES, AND RECOMMENDATIONS TOWARD ADDRESSING RACIAL DISPARITIES IN SCHOOL DISCIPLINE. CREATED IN PARTNERSHIP WITH THE EDUCATION TRUST, THE REPORT PROVIDED ACTIONABLE STEPS, GROUNDED IN STUDENT VOICES, SUPPORTED BY RESEARCH, AND ACCOMPANIED BY THREE CASE STUDIES OF JURISDICTIONS THAT HAVE ADOPTED PROMISING DISCIPLINE PRACTICES.

REPRODUCTIVE RIGHTS & HEALTH- LAUNCHED A MAJOR PROJECT TO HELP POLICYMAKERS AND OTHERS SPEAK AUTHENTICALLY AND PROACTIVELY ABOUT ABORTION, CONNECTING THEIR SUPPORT FOR ABORTION WITH DEEPLY HELD VALUES, INCLUDING HEALTH AND WELL-BEING, FREEDOM, RIGHTS, AND AUTONOMY AND AGENCY.- HELPED FRAME WHAT IS AT STAKE IN THE CASE DOBBS V. JACKSON WOMEN'S HEALTH ORGANIZATION, AFTER THE SUPREME COURT IN MAY 2021 DECIDED TO HEAR THIS CHALLENGE TO A BLATANTLY UNCONSTITUTIONAL MISSISSIPPI ABORTION BAN. (TO BE CONTINUED IN SCHEDULE O.)- PUSHED FEDERAL POLICYMAKERS TO UNDO THE HARM DONE BY THE PREVIOUS ADMINISTRATION TO REPRODUCTIVE RIGHTS AND HEALTH ISSUES, AND TO IMPLEMENT NEW SOLUTIONS THAT MOVE US FORWARD-WHILE PUBLICLY APPLYING PRESSURE, INCLUDING THROUGH MAJOR MEDIA AND CAMPAIGN PIECES.- PROVIDED PRACTICAL SUPPORT TO CLINICIANS FACING DISCRIMINATION BECAUSE OF THEIR WILLINGNESS TO PROVIDE OR SUPPORT THE PROVISION OF ABORTION.- PROVIDED TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE AND SUPPORT TO STATE ADVOCATES WORKING ON THE FRONTLINES OF DEFENDING THE RIGHT TO ABORTION AND PURSUING NEW POLICY MEASURES TO EXPAND ABORTION ACCESS.- COLLABORATED WITH COALITION PARTNERS TO ENSURE THAT MAJOR FEDERAL LEGISLATION-INCLUDING THE AMERICAN RESCUE PLAN-DID NOT INCLUDE RESTRICTIONS ON ABORTION. - PROVIDED TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE AND PUBLIC EDUCATION RELATED TO THE INTRODUCTION OF THE EACH ACT, WHICH WOULD GUARANTEE INSURANCE COVERAGE OF ABORTION FOR THOSE WHO GET CARE OR INSURANCE THROUGH THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT AND PROHIBITS POLITICAL INTERFERENCE IN THE PRIVATE INSURANCE MARKET'S ABILITY TO COVER ABORTION.- HIGHLIGHTED CONNECTIONS BETWEEN ABORTION AND EQUALITY, INCLUDING IN FEDERAL AND STATE POLICY. - IN JULY 2020, FILED A LAWSUIT AGAINST A HARMFUL FEDERAL RULE THAT SPECIFICALLY TARGETS TRANSGENDER INDIVIDUALS AND PEOPLE SEEKING ABORTION CARE. CO-COUNSEL IN THE CASE ARE HOGAN LOVELLS, THE TRANSGENDER LAW CENTER, TRANSGENDER LEGAL DEFENSE AND EDUCATION FUND AND THE CENTER FOR HEALTH LAW AND POLICY INNOVATION OF HARVARD LAW SCHOOL. - PROVIDED TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE TO STATE ADVOCATES WORKING TO EXPAND CONTRACEPTIVE ACCESS, INCLUDING BY PROVIDING WEBINARS FOCUSED ON CONTRACEPTIVE ADVOCACY AS PART OF A FULL-SPECTRUM APPROACH TO BLACK WOMEN'S WELLNESS AND ADVOCACY AND MESSAGING AROUND LONG-ACTING REVERSIBLE CONTRACEPTIVES. - DEVELOPED NEW BIRTH CONTROL FOCUSED RESOURCES FOR STATE ADVOCATES, INCLUDING A TOOLKIT ON HOW TO WORK WITH STATE AGENCIES ON "EXCEPTIONS" POLICIES THAT GUARANTEE EVERYONE GETS COVERAGE FOR THE SPECIFIC BIRTH CONTROL PRODUCT THEY NEED WITHOUT COST-SHARING. - LAUNCHED BIRTH CONTROL WAY, A MURAL AND RELATED SOCIAL MEDIA CONTENT, TO CHALLENGE AND CHANGE THE PUBLIC NARRATIVE AROUND BIRTH CONTROL ACCESS.- SUBMITTED AN AMICUS BRIEF IN THE SUPREME COURT CASE LITTLE SISTERS OF THE POOR V. PENNSYLVANIA, WHICH WAS CITED BY THE LATE JUSTICE RUTH BADER GINSBURG IN THE DISSENT. COORDINATED A COALITION-WIDE RESPONSE TO THE CASE, MEDIA INTERVIEWS, AND A VIRTUAL BIRTH CONTROL RALLY.- RELEASED STATE-BY-STATE DATA ON WOMEN AND INSURANCE COVERAGE DEMONSTRATING THAT ALTHOUGH THE ACA HAS MADE HUGE PROGRESS, LATINA, NATIVE AMERICAN, AND BLACK WOMEN STILL LAG IN HEALTH COVERAGE.- FILED AN AMICUS BRIEF IN FEBRUARY 2021 WITH LAWYER'S COMMITTEE FOR CIVIL RIGHTS UNDER LAW TO THE SUPREME COURT, OPPOSING MEDICAID WORK REQUIREMENTS BY EMPHASIZING THE HARM CAUSED TO WOMEN OF COLOR WHO DISPROPORTIONATELY RELY UPON MEDICAID AND ARE LIKELY TO LOSE HEALTH COVERAGE-EXACERBATING EXISTING HEALTH AND ECONOMIC DISPARITIES.- SUBMITTED AN AMICUS BRIEF IN MARCH 2021 IN A GEORGIA DISTRICT COURT SUPPORTING SURVIVORS OF MEDICAL VIOLENCE AT THE IRWIN COUNTY DETENTION CENTER, WITH THE NATIONAL ASIAN PACIFIC AMERICAN WOMEN'S FORUM, THE NATIONAL LATINA INSTITUTE FOR REPRODUCTIVE JUSTICE, AND SISTERLOVE, INC.