Category: Women’s Rights

by Ernie McCray

I find myself looking

for any hint

of hope for a better world

that might be in play

and I happened upon a wonderful example

of such the other day

as I listened to a proud Latina woman

at a community college conference

in Austin, Texas

By JW August

Legislation aimed at making child trafficking a felony in California was signed into law Monday, Jan. 27, by Gov. Gavin Newsom.

For the supporters of SB 1414, authored by Sen. Shannon Grove (R-Bakersfield) it’s a good news-bad news outcome. While the bill builds on continuing efforts to criminalize the trafficking of children 18 and under, it comes up short of the legislation’s original goal.

SB1414 had the backing of a coalition of more than 100 organizations. What was signed by the governor doesn’t finish the job, say anti-trafficking activists. Groves doesn’t disagree with the criticism, saying Monday that while her bill provides “a significant step in the right direction” to protect children from child sex traffickers and buyers, “there is still work to be done.”

By Jim Kempton / Surfer.com / December 31, 2024

Wading into the Pacific Ocean on a clear cold New Year’s Eve in 1926, Faye Baird was more than a little nervous. For starters, she was carrying a ten-foot, 110-pound redwood surfboard on her back as she entered the shoreline. There was no wetsuit to seal out the 59-degree temperature on both land and sea—only a scratchy wool bathing suit. The winter sky had darkened early and was now turning a shade of blue-black.

Joining her—and already neck deep in the surf—was her partner Charlie Wright, a lifeguard from Ocean Beach just a few miles south. He was carrying two lit waterproof flares above his head, trying to get as far past the shorebreak as possible to prevent the torches from getting soaked before they reached the outside lineup. In the moonlight, Faye could see head-high waves rolling through on her right. But what gave her the most pause were the hundreds of people packing the Promenade, crowding the dunes. Hundreds more were following her to the water’s edge.

By Colleen O’Connor

In his last weeks as President, Biden has been offered several “To Do” lists before his term ends.

Major newspapers and networks have offered logical suggestions with detailed rationale.

Pardons, new legislation, drain the coffers and send the money to select states.  Get ready for mega demands on time and a flood of rationales for each move.

Let’s make it simple.  Do what Trump would, could, should and will do.  Follow his prescriptions.

The time to put out the “dumpster fires” is now.

Here are the easiest wins to guarantee a Biden legacy of note. 

The 2024 Susan G. Komen San Diego 3-Day walk kicked off at the Del Mar Fairgrounds Friday morning, November 15th, with local residents and supporters across the country coming together for a 60-mile trek throughout the San Diego area.

Participants have spent the months prior raising money, a minimum of $2,300 each, that will go toward efforts to fight breast cancer. As of current, the event has an impressive track record and has already raised more than $160 million for the cause, officials with the fundraiser confirmed.

By Colleen O’Connor

Two years ago, in November of 2022, I wrote a column full of outlandish predictions that have since come true.

• First, that Kamala Harris would be named Vice-President. True.
• Next that Speaker Emeriti, Nancy Pelosi, would outlast Donald Trump. Ongoing.
• Third, that Kevin McCarthy would not last long as Republican House Speaker. True.
• Also, that Joe Biden would not be re-elected President. And neither would Trump. One down. One going.
• Finally, that Liz Cheney would be the first woman to become the GOP leader in the House, albeit still in the minority. Or secure a stellar Cabinet post. Attorney General would be fitting. “Without fear or favor,” Cheney has proved her character worthy of a high office.

It was 1965 and I remember very well staring at the cover of Life magazine. It had a young woman, a local Point Loman, on the cover doing a handstand on a skateboard. It was an amazing picture and even more of an amazing stunt. The young blond on the cover was Patti McGee.

Skateboards were brand new back in the mid-sixties and most kids who had them had made them themselves. Take the metal skates available and attach them to a wood board covered by a piece of carpeting. Voila! A skateboard.

Patti McGee has just passed; she was 79. She broke so many records, it’s difficult now to imagine a world without her. Fortunately for us, U-T writer Maura Fox has just laid out McGee’s history and significance, and to let the rest of us know that a nonprofit named Exposure Skate will hold a ceremony for McGee at its annual skate event for women and nonbinary skaters in Encinitas this Saturday, November 2 at 5 p.m.

By Julie Meier Wright / Op-Ed San Diego Union-Tribune / October 23, 2024

Women — and the men who support them — can elect a president in 2024 who will protect our Constitution and treasured freedoms.  She happens to be a woman.  It is time.

Forty years ago, Maureen Reagan, our dear friend Judy Miller and I, tackled the gender gap

By Amita Sharma / KPBS / October 21, 2024

As the presidential race nears its finish, Project 2025 continues to be a lightning rod.

The Heritage Foundation’s 922-page, 30-chapter document subtitled “Mandate for Leadership, The Conservative Promise” lays out a plan to dramatically reshape the federal government starting on day one of the next conservative president’s term.

“The federal government is a behemoth, weaponized against American citizens and conservative values, with freedom and liberty under siege as never before,” Project 2025 states.

If carried out after the election, Project 2025 could have broad local impacts, including drastic upheavals in school funding, which cases federal and state prosecutors pursue, and climate warnings.

On Saturday, October 5th at 2PM, a group of 15+ community organizations are coming together for a rally and march to commemorate one year since the genocide in Gaza began.  There have been verified deaths of more than 40,000 people in Gaza at the hands of the Israeli military.

The rally will take place Saturday, October 5, 2:00 PM, at the County Administration Building, 1600 Pacific Highway.  Speakers will include international law expert Marjorie Cohn and popular Egyptian-American comedian and television host Bassem Yousef.