SACRAMENTO, CA – Assemblymember Wendy Carrillo (D-Los Angeles) is honored to receive the “Latinas Leading Boldly” Reproductive Justice (RJ) Leadership Award by California Latinas for Reproductive Justice (CLRJ) for her commitment to protecting women's bodily autonomy, health and well-being.
CLRJ is leading the reproductive justice movement in uplifting the diversity of women’s experiences that are often made invisible by public narratives, and how they are changing narratives to inform policy change in California.
Assemblymember Carrillo (D-51) has led the fight to protect and transform the lives of women, especially Latinas, immigrant women, women of color, and low-income women and families. This year, Assemblymember Carrillo introduced Assembly Bill 1764, which would have established the Forced Sterilization Compensation Program to provide monetary compensation to those who were forcibly sterilized under California’s eugenics laws, as well as those sterilized without medical necessity or demonstrated informed consent while incarcerated.
“I am thankful to receive the RJ Leadership Award from the California Latinas for Reproductive Justice and honored to partner with them on AB 1764 to bring justice to the vulnerable women who were targeted wrongfully for involuntary sterilization,” said Assemblymember Carrillo. “As a state, we must do more than simply recognize the horrific impact of eugenic sterilization programs on Californian families and the devastating consequences of this failed attempt to eradicate populations inhumanely deemed undesirable.”
"We are thrilled to present our annual RJ Leadership Award to Assemblymember Wendy Carrillo,” said Laura Jiménez, Executive Director of CLRJ. “Her bold leadership on Reproductive Justice issues is exemplary. Working with her on AB 1764, a bill that provides reparations to people involuntarily sterilized by the state is an example of her clear grasp of California's past present and future and her commitment to improving the lives of our communities. We look forward to continuing to grow Latina leadership and continuing to work with the Assemblymember."
While Assembly Bill 1764 was held in Appropriations Committee and will not successfully arrive at the Governor’s desk this session, Assemblymember Carrillo is determined to continue her partnership with CLRJ in ensuring material acknowledgment of this injustice. Assemblymember Carrillo thanks the members of CLRJ for their continuous work on behalf of all Latinas across California and looks forward to further efforts to secure justice for all.
Assemblymember Wendy Carrillo was elected as the representative of the 51st Assembly District in December of 2017. She is a member of the Health, Appropriations, Utilities & Energy, Labor and Rules Committees. Carrillo represents the people of East Los Angeles, Northeast Los Angeles, and the neighborhoods of El Sereno, Echo Park, Lincoln Heights, Chinatown and parts of Silver Lake.