2009 Forum

October 2009

Economic Insecurity

In 2009, the VCWFC was proud to bring Lilly Ledbetter to California Lutheran University to discuss issues of Economic Insecurity and Women. She is the pioneer of the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act of 2009, the first piece of legislation signed by President Barack Obama.

Drs. Sunghee Choi and Marie Francois of CSU Channel Islands presented "Women on the Edge: Gendered Political Economy Past and Present." Small group discussions focused on budget crisis impacts on social services; foreclosures and bankruptcy; retirement fund loss; loss of jobs and/or benefits; domestic crisis. Skill and Action Workshops focused on: disenfranchised women (foster youth, immigrant women, women struggling with substance abuse); transforming the culture of poverty; power organizing for women; policy solutions; non-traditional and green jobs, career ladders, and entrepreneurship for women.

Through the course of the day, participants attended breakout sessions on topics including: sexual assault in the workplace; women’s right to her own body and life; slavery and human trafficking in our backyard; rights for immigrant women and their families; corporate personhood vs. women’s human rights; US policies and our sisters around the world; taxation without representation: elected leadership for women’s human rights; and Immigrant youth daring to DREAM. 

2009 Steering Committee: 

Co-Chairs: Maricela Morales, CAUSE, Port Hueneme City Council and Marie Francois, California State University Channel Islands; Pam Brubaker, California Lutheran University; Helen Conly, Ventura County Rainbow Alliance; Pat Esseff, Catholic Charities; Jessie Goede, California State University Channel Islands; Diana Goodrow, California Women's Agenda/Women's Intercultural Network; Raye Keene, Concerned Black Women of Conejo Valley; Lee Riggan, Business and Professional Women of Conejo Valley, Promotoras y Promotores Foundation; Catherine Smith, National Women's Political Caucus, Ventura County; Kim Marra Stephenson, AAUW- Camarillo, CA Branch; Celeste Weingardt, National Women's Political Caucus, Ventura County Women’s Forum Collaborative Members AARP; AAUW Camarillo Branch; Business and Professional Women of Conejo Valley; California Lutheran University Center for Equality and Justice Catholic Charities, CAUSE; Community Action– Ventura Co., Concerned Black Women of Conejo Valley; CSUCI Center for Multicultural Engagement, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Help of Ojai, The Links, Inc.; NAACP-VC, National Women’s Political Caucus of Ventura County; Promotoras y Promotores Foundation; Ventura County FOOD Share, Ventura County Rainbow Alliance; Women’s Intercultural Network.

Sponsors:

Fiscal Sponsor: Women’s Political Caucus of California, Inc. Women’s Legacy Fund; ($1,000.00) California Lutheran University; Cal State University Channel Islands; Community Action of Ventura County; SarahMcCune; *SAGE Publications, *Ventura County Star; ($500.00) Ventura County Community Foundation-- Community Response Fund Conference Support grant; Anonymous; ($250.00) CAUSE--Central CoastAlliance United for a Sustainable Economy; Congress of California Seniors (CCS); Mark & Terri Lisagor; NOW– Oxnard/Ventura; NWPC- Ventura County; Panec 4 Congress; Ventura County School Boards Association; Woman’s Economic Ventures; *Jo Paulo Salon; ($100.00); AARP; American Association of University Women (AAUW) Ventura Co. Intercouncil Branch; Concerned Black Women of Conejo Valley; Catherine Smith; Ventura County Rainbow Alliance; Swimmin’ Thighwear; Anonymous; *Earl Joseph Shoes; *Raphealia’s It’s a Hat Thing; *Ventura County Reporter; *Ventura County Social Services (*denotes in - kind donation) 

Many thanks to Celeste Weingardt, Maverick Media, and Hayes Graphics graphics, media and printing services.