Impact Fund

In January 2017, the National Women’s Law Center (NWLC) created the Legal Network for Gender Equity to provide support to survivors of s*x harassment and discrimination at a time when many people saw on the horizon imminent and unprecedented threats to the rights of women and girls. Attorneys who join the Legal Network agree to provide free legal consultations to people who NWLC connects to them on matters relating to s*x discrimination in employment, education, and healthcare settings. In a new blog post, Liz Chacko, Senior Counsel at the National Women's Law Center, discusses her role as a member of the Legal Network for Gender Equity.

Celebrating 7 Years of the Legal Network for Gender Equity at the National Women’s Law Center — Impact Fund In January 2017, the National Women’s Law Center (NWLC) created the Legal Network for Gender Equity to provide support to survivors of s*x harassment and discrimination at a time when many people saw on the horizon imminent and unprecedented threats to the rights of women and girls.&nb

“They tell us that our lives matter, that we matter, but we need the actions to match the words. As long as stigma remains enshrined in Canadian law, people living with HIV will continue to be victimized. This World AIDS Day, we need to see real movement on law reform.”

Opinion: This World AIDS Day, we need to stop criminalizing people with HIV Those with HIV continue to be charged for allegedly not disclosing their status in consensual encounters. The law contradicts modern science.

Barrientos v. CoreCivic, Inc. is one of several class action suits filed on behalf of detained workers in ICE-contracted facilities around the country, which assert a variety of claims under not only Trafficking Victims Protection Act and unjust enrichment, but also under state statutes such as minimum wage laws. After five years of litigation, the plaintiffs are delighted that their hard work has resulted in meaningful change for those detained at SDC in the future. The settlement includes requirement that CoreCivic provide a “Detained Worker Bill of Rights,” to all detained workers at SDC, which will make clear that they cannot be forced to work and can refuse to work at any time.

Congratulations to Southern Poverty Law Center, Project South, pro bono partner Perkins Coie LLP, and Gwyn Newsom Law, LLC for securing this important victory to fight against forced labor.

Forced Labor Suit Leads To Detained Worker Bill of Rights — Impact Fund With no real choice, Mr. Hill Barrientos worked in the kitchen in SDC’s so-called “Voluntary Work Program,” cooking meals for up to 2,000 people daily. He regularly worked eight- to nine-hour shifts, and usually received $4 to $5 per day (or 50 cents per hour). Since SDC did not have outside k...

Recent data shows that the majority of Native American mothers are breadwinners for their families, yet with Native women earning about half the amount of white men, it creates an economic barrier to provide for themselves and their families. Low pay, economic abuse, and the lack of employment protections play a huge role in why so many cannot safely leave abusive situations. Therefore, long-term safety is almost impossible.

As we approach the season of gratitude, it's essential to recognize the rich heritage and resilience of Native American communities. November not only marks the start of the holiday season, but also Native American Heritage Month, a period to celebrate the contributions and enduring spirit of Native peoples.

While the Thanksgiving narrative often focuses on the Pilgrims and their interactions with the Wampanoag, it's crucial to acknowledge the complex history and ongoing struggles of Native Americans. The arrival of European settlers marked the beginning of a devastating period of colonization and displacement, with Native communities facing forced removals, broken treaties, and cultural suppression.

Despite these challenges, Native American communities have demonstrated remarkable resilience, preserving their languages, traditions, and deep connection to the land. Their contributions to American society are profound, ranging from agricultural practices to medicinal knowledge to artistic expressions.

In this season of gratitude, let's honor Native American heritage by acknowledging the injustices of the past, learning about the present realities of Native communities, and committing to a more just and equitable future.

https://www.thenation.com/article/society/thanksgiving-debate/?emci=07c50a27-0588-ee11-8925-00224832e811&emdi=100b88d8-0c88-ee11-8925-00224832e811&ceid=8183665

This year has seen more than two-dozen people killed due to anti-transgender violence and hatred, with over half being Black trans women, and nearly 90% being people of color. They join the hundreds killed worldwide in 2023, and the thousands that we know of over the last 25 years. In this article, Gwen Smith, who founded the Remember Our Dead project, discusses the history behind the effort and why it remains important 25 years later.

Transmissions: In difficult times It was 1998 when Rita Hester, a young Black trans woman, was found dead in Alston, Massachusetts.

BREAKING: Congratulations Circuit Judge Ana de Alba, just confirmed by the Senate to the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals! As the daughter of Mexican immigrants, she brings vital and historically excluded perspectives to the Ninth Circuit — the kind of lived experience that helps to improve judicial decision-making and strengthens public trust in our courts!

We are excited to share our 2023 Annual Report, which highlights our progress in advancing economic, environmental, racial, and social justice. The report features stories of impact from our programs and services, as well as data and statistics that demonstrate our reach and effectiveness. We are grateful for the support of our donors, grantees, and community partners. Visit the link to download your copy! https://bit.ly/IFAR2023

With Veterans Day is coming up on Saturday, November 11, it’s essential that we continue supporting and advocating for equal treatment of LGBTQ+ veterans to ensure they receive the recognition and respect they deserve for their service.

LGBTQ veterans still waiting on benefits, corrections to their military records decades after serving An NBC Bay Area investigation reveals tens of thousands of veterans were discharged from the U.S. military because of their s*xual orientation and gender identity dating back to World War II.

We just made grants totaling $172,500 in our fall cycle to fund eight lawsuits that protect the rights of individuals threatened by uncaring corporate interests and small-minded government.

One grant made to Disability Rights North Carolina is for a case fighting for the rights of people with mental health disabilities who are found unable to proceed with a criminal trial due to their disability but who are then held in jail for months. Encompassing prisoners’ rights, disability rights, access to healthcare, and due process, this case seeks to ensure that people with severe mental health disabilities receive adequate treatment instead of being forced to remain in jail when they have not been convicted of a crime.

News Release 11.07.23 — Impact Fund IMPACT FUND MAKES GRANTS OF $172,500 FOR ECONOMIC, ENVIRONMENTAL, RACIAL, AND SOCIAL JUSTICE New grants to support impact litigation on behalf of incarcerated people, BIPOC communities, and…

In 1999, Hayden Powell was discharged from the military under Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell. Now, as a plaintiff in the lawsuit against the U.S. Department of Defense, she wants to make things better for veterans like her.

Washington woman joins class-action lawsuit against DOD - Northwest Public Broadcasting Every time Hayden Powell sits down to apply for a job, she has to relive an experience she went through over two decades ago, when she was discharged from the military because of her s*xual orientation. Continue Reading Washington woman joins class-action lawsuit against DOD

Congratulations to Impact Fund Executive Director, Jocelyn Larkin, as well as Margaret McKeown, Deborah Hensler, and Sheila Birnbaum, for receiving the 2023 Awards for Excellence in Ethics in Complex Litigation!

This case, along with a few others around the country, is unique. Sweeping class action lawsuits like this bring all foster children together into one class, instead of breaking the cases into small pieces that never address the fundamental systemic problems of dysfunctional foster care systems. The issues of broken child welfare systems, which provide far too few resources and are often far too intent on saving money instead of helping damaged children, must be addressed at the large-scale level. The recent class certification decision supports this system-wide strategy. We are grateful to our grantee, A Better Childhood, for their tireless efforts to protect all foster children in West Virginia.

Class Action Advances the Welfare of 6,000 Foster Children in West Virginia — Impact Fund The West Virginia child welfare agency that was supposed to protect foster child, Jonathan, has failed.  Last month, in a huge step forward, the case was certified as a class action, meaning that the case is now proceeding not only on behalf of Jonathan, but on behalf of all childr

The Dakota Access Pipeline and the conflict over its controversial crossing of the Mississippi River is much further from the spotlight in 2023 as it was in 2016. Despite the lack of media attention, this issue is far from resolved – and a crucial deadline in the resolution process is rapidly approaching.

On October 13, the environmental review public comment period will come to an end. Take action by writing to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers calling for further environmental safeguards or a complete stoppage of the Dakota Access Pipeline before that deadline.

Dakota Access Pipeline: Urgent Deadline to Stand Up for Environmental Justice — Impact Fund The Dakota Access Pipeline and the conflict over its controversial crossing of the Mississippi River is much further from the spotlight in 2023 as it was in 2016. Despite the lack of media attention, this issue is far from resolved – and a crucial deadline in the resolution process is rapidly appr...

" While last week’s commitment from the Department of Defense to restore lost benefits afforded to service members is a welcome step in the right direction, the government’s work is far from over."

‘Don’t ask, don’t tell’ was wrong — LGBTQ+ service members deserve reparations now The government has the power to fix the discharge paperwork for those of us discharged due to s*xual orientation. It is well past time to do so.

Millions of Americans with low incomes will now receive their food benefits without delay during the first month of a potential federal government shutdown, thanks to the government’s response to the class action we filed with Western Center on Law & Poverty.

SNAP Shutdown News Release 09.21.23 — Impact Fund “Millions of Americans, many of whom are seniors, children, and people with disabilities, will now have a better sense of where their next meal is coming from this October.” - Lindsay Nako

in 2011, "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" was repealed, ending the practice of discharging LGBTQ+ service members based on s*xual orientation. However, for many veterans who were affected by DADT, the battle is still far from over.

LGBTQ+ Veterans Still Suffer Harm from “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” 12 Years After Repeal September 20, 2023, marks the 12-year anniversary of the repeal of the discriminatory law known as “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” (“DADT”). For nearly two decades, DADT forced LGBTQ+ service members to conceal their true selves, living in fear of discrimination, harassment, and discharge if the...

Together with our allies Western Center on Law & Poverty, we have filed a class action lawsuit against the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to prevent a delay in providing Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits to 42 million Americans. Our lawsuit asserts that the USDA should exercise available strategies to order the continuation of the SNAP benefits, while Congress works on passage of the funding bills.

"Issuing new discharge paperwork and upgrading discharges for these veterans should be proactive and intentional. The Department of Defense should actively work to identify, investigate, and issue new discharge paperwork and upgrade eligible discharges." - Jules Sohn

Justice is long overdue for LGBTQ+ veterans Tens of thousands of veterans who were discharged due to their s*xual orientation did not receive an honorable discharge.