The bipartisan and bicameral California Legislative Women’s Caucus elected Senator Connie M. Leyva (D-Chino) as its Chair and Assemblywoman Monique Limón (DSanta Barbara) as Vice Chair.

“I am truly honored to have earned the trust of my colleagues in the Caucus and look forward to continuing to work with them and other stakeholders to further promote sensible legislative policies and budget priorities that will improve the lives of women, children and families in California.  I am confident that Assemblywoman Limón will also continue to be a strong voice and advocate to achieve these objectives. Over the last few years, the Caucus has prioritized access to child care, equal pay, parental leave and repealing the Maximum Family Grant (MFG) Rule and will continue to lead the way on these very important issues.  We must also continue to fight head-on against the culture of sexual harassment and assault that still exists in our communities and workplaces. We have certainly made positive strides here at the Capitol and across California, but the work continues and—as Chair—I commit to working every day to confront the realities that primarily women of all ages and backgrounds face. The women serving in the Legislature will certainly continue help promote policy and budget priorities that are supportive of the needs of California women, children and families,” stated Senator Leyva.

Now serving her second term in office, Leyva was first elected to the California State Senate in 2014 and previously served as Vice Chair of the Women’s Caucus.

“I am honored and excited to have the opportunity to work alongside Senator Leyva and support my colleagues in a leadership role within the Women’s Caucus. As a woman of color, I will continue to use my experience as a lens to see issues with a unique perspective. In this new session, I know Senator Leyva and I remain committed to ensure issues impacting women and families continue to be on the forefront of our work. We will work diligently to advance policies to ensure equity for all women, in all spaces. With a record number of women in the Legislature, our Caucus will ensure women’s issues remain a higher priority and are present in all discussions. As the work begins, I’d like to thank the previous leadership, Assemblymembers Cristina Garcia and Susan Talamantes Eggman for their work and empowerment of women and families in California,” said Assemblymember Monique Limón.

Assemblymember Limón is serving her second term in the California State Assembly and is only the second woman from Santa Barbara and Ventura Counties to serve as Vice Chair of the Women’s Caucus.