The City of West Hollywood, its Women’s Advisory Board, and its Lesbian and Gay Advisory Board will host the city’s annual celebration of Women’s Equality Day on Sunday.
The day is an opportunity to honor the optimism, tenacity, and unrelenting spirit of the people who worked to secure women’s right to vote, and to illustrate how much can be achieved in a democratic society by the collective efforts of citizens committed to political reform.
A community event will take place from 2 to 5 p.m. at City Council Chambers adjacent to the West Hollywood Library, located at 625 N. San Vicente Blvd. The event is free and open to the public. Free parking will be available at the adjacent five-story structure with validation in the lobby.
There will be a screening of “Seeing Allred,” a film about the life and work of noted civil rights attorney and women’s equality advocate Gloria Allred. The documentary, which was an official selection of the Sundance Film Festival and is now streaming on Netflix, will be introduced by Sophie Sartain, its co-director and producer. Gloria Allred will speak and answer questions from the audience about the film and what actions she thinks should be taken now to protect women’s rights. Because it is anticipated that the event will quickly reach capacity, those who want to attend are asked to RSVP by by calling (323) 848‐6823 or going to a www.whwomensequalityday2018.eventbrite.com.
Also being screened in “I Remember Nicole,” a music video inspired by Nicole Brown Simpson. The video is performed by Hollie Cavanagh and Melodye Perry and produced by Renee Sotile and Mary Jo Godges. 2019 marks the 25th anniversary of the death of Simpson, the wife of O.J. Simpson, who was found stabbed to death in her home.
“The city has a long-standing commitment to advocating for and supporting women — just like our featured speaker, Gloria Allred,” said Mayor John Duran. “Women’s Equality Day is not just a celebration of the anniversary of women’s right to vote, it’s also a reminder that rights are under attack. In light of the spirit and passion of our recent Women’s Marches, we must keep fighting to guard reproductive rights and access to healthcare, to fight for equal pay for equal work, and to maintain women’s full equality under the law.”
Following the screening, there will be a panel discussion with about a number of timely issues, including current efforts to pass the Equal Rights Amendment. “We are the Change – the Intersection of Movements” will be moderated by Caroline Heldman, #ERAnow director. The panelists will include Rashad Beal, Schools Over Violence program manager at Peace Over Violence; Juana Rosa Cavero, director of the California Coalition for Reproductive Freedom; Amanda Goad, the Audrey Irmas director of the LGBTQ, Gender & Reproductive Justice Project at the ACLU of Southern California, and Jenny C. Pizer, Law and Policy director of Lambda Legal.
Participating organizations include: Feminist Majority + MS Magazine, Planned Parenthood Los Angeles, #ERAnow, League of Women Voters Los Angeles, Hollywood NOW, Los Angeles LGBT Center – Audre Lorde Program and UN Women (USNC L.A. Chapter).
The City of West Hollywood has commemorated Women’s Equality Day in a variety of ways. It was the first city in the nation to declare itself pro-choice and as continually supported state and federal legislation protecting and advancing women’s reproductive rights and access to healthcare. The city has a record of supporting initiatives that call for equal pay for equal work. The city’s Women’s Advisory Board is involved in a myriad of programming and events that recognize and support women in the community.
For more information, please contact Larissa Fooks at (323) 848-6413 or lfooks@weho.org. For people who are deaf or hard of hearing, please call TTY (323) 848-6496.
