Imagining New Pathways to Gender Equity: Insights from Dolores Huerta and Women’s Rights Leaders

By Hayley Sayrs | Edited by Danielle Bissonnette

Right to Left: Hayley Sayrs of Sayrs Consulting with Dolores Huerta and Elahe Amani.

This June began with a notable event: The ERA: 100 Years Not One More – Equal Voice | Equal Vote in 2024 – LA Convening. Leaders from Mount Saint Mary's University Center for the Advancement of Women, the ERA Coalition, the Commission on the Status of Women, and Sayrs Consulting had the opportunity to meet Dolores Huerta, a pivotal figure in the quest for equality. 

Dolores Huerta is a renowned labor leader and civil rights activist who co-founded the United Farm Workers union, advocating for the rights of workers, women, and the broader Latinx community. In 2012, President Obama awarded Dolores the Presidential Medal of Freedom, recognizing her immense contributions. His campaign slogan, "Yes, we can," was inspired by her enduring “¡Sí, se puede!," a testament to her impact. 

“When you go to school, you talk about history. When you become an activist, you make history.” - Dolores Huerta

Huerta’s remarks at the event, infused with the same hope as her iconic slogan, deeply resonated and reinforced the message that perseverance is key and that we all have the power to drive societal change: “When you go to school, you talk about history. When you become an activist, you make history.”

The event was further enriched by the participation of Elahe Amani from the Women’s Intercultural Network, who shared heartfelt stories of her experiences marching with Dolores. In March, Sayrs Consulting and Elahe Amani worked together at the 68th Session of the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women in New York City in partnership with Cities for CEDAW.

Dolores Huerta’s life's work is a masterclass in how to enact social change from outside the political aisle. With major milestones achieved for civil, labor, and women's rights in over six decades of activism, she expressed confidence in our collective mobilization, specifically, to pass the ERA. She ended by inspiring and motivating continued efforts: "We have to work really, really hard… We are going to pass the ERA, and we are going to save democracy!"

Dr. Nicole Haggard, Director of the Center for the Advancement of Women at Mount Saint Mary's University presenting the 2024 Report on the Status of Women and Girls in California.

"We need allies and organizations to work together in order to eradicate the gender inequities that persist in our world today.” - Dr. Nicole Haggard

Additionally, insights were shared by Nicole Haggard, PhD, Director of the Center for the Advancement of Women at Mount Saint Mary's University, from the 2024 Report on the Status of Women and Girls in California. Dr. Haggard highlighted the importance of collaborative efforts to address persistent gender inequities, stating, “I hope this research is illuminating; I also hope it inspires collaborative action. We need allies and organizations to work together in order to eradicate the gender inequities that persist in our world today.”

The Pink Tax costs women in California an average of $2,381 more per year than men for the same goods and services, amounting to over $188,000 over a lifetime.

The California Commission on the Status of Women and Girls ran a bill by assembly member Rebekah Bauer Kahan that eliminated the Pink tax in 2022 in California. Darcy Totten served as the commissions’ lobbyist on that effort and is currently serving as the Interim Director for the California Commission on the Status of Women and Girls.

At the convening, the Commission, and the Center for the Advancement of Women announced their new working partnership, bridging research and government to advance knowledge and solutions for gender equity.

The report itself underscores both progress and ongoing challenges in gender equity, noting that despite women earning 89% of what men earn for full-time work, significant disparities continue to exist, particularly among Latinas and Black women. It also points out that while California leads the country in the number of women-owned businesses, only 2% of women-founded enterprises receive venture capital funding.

From left to right among attendees: RJ Thomsen, Operations & Communication Coordinator, The Feminist Front; Elisa Parker, Founder of See Jane Do, Director with Equal Voice | Equal Future, and ERA Coalition; Dolores Huerta, Labor Leader and President, Dolores Huerta Foundation.

As the discussions and insights from the gathering demonstrated, achieving gender equity requires persistent, combined efforts across various sectors. The necessity of ongoing legislative action is clear, particularly in addressing economic disparities and institutional barriers that disproportionately affect women. Beyond legislation, there is a critical need for enhanced public-private partnerships that can mobilize resources, influence social norms, and foster environments that support women's rights and participation. These collaborations are crucial for implementing comprehensive strategies that not only address current inequities but also prevent future ones. Moving forward, drawing inspiration from leaders like Dolores Huerta, every stakeholder must commit to a sustained and dynamic effort to forge a path toward a more just and equitable society for all.

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