Advancing Democracy and Civil Liberties Amidst National Backlash
As we look toward this year’s general election, the escalating negative political rhetoric is once again targeting the issues affecting people most marginalized in this country: transgender rights, reproductive autonomy, immigration, just to name a few. History has shown that these attacks are not new; they are a political ploy to stoke distrust and division during a critical election year while creating backlash against progressive wins. States and local jurisdictions across the country are passing bills to roll back progress on our civil liberties.
This is not just happening in other states, but in our backyard, reaching pockets of suburban and rural California facing these challenging rollbacks from their school boards, city councils, and boards of supervisors. Despite this growing backlash, organizers and advocates are addressing these challenges head-on and maintaining momentum towards a vision for a more equitable, multiracial democracy, rooted in feminist values and our collective liberation. With so much at stake this election, how do we protect the rights of the most marginalized among us and continue to work towards a brighter future?
This panel will feature advocates working on the frontlines of trans justice, reproductive rights, and immigrant justice to talk about how to ensure we protect hard fought for civil liberties, continue to advance the rights of marginalized people, and work with philanthropy to ensure the movement ecosystem is fully resourced.
Join this session to:
- Explore how national political rhetoric on civil rights manifests in California;
- Understand the role that trusted grassroots organizers and advocates play in resisting political backlash; and
- Identify your role as a funder in supporting these movement leaders and organizations.
Speaker
![Sylvia Castillo](/system/files/styles/avatar_4x4_top/private/headshots/Sylvia%20Headshot%20Public%20-%20Light_0.jpg?itok=EMQ2xzB9)
Sylvia Castillo
![Sylvia Castillo](/system/files/styles/avatar_4x4_top/private/headshots/Sylvia%20Headshot%20Public%20-%20Light_0.jpg?itok=EMQ2xzB9)
Sylvia Castillo
Sylvia (she/her) joined CCRF as Executive Director in 2024 after participating as a Coalition member for nearly 10 years and having served 6 years on the Executive Advisory Committee. She is a seasoned leader and a champion for reproductive health, rights and justice, with more than a decade of experience in coalition building.
Sylvia has successfully led efforts to expand access to sexual and reproductive health care in California, and her work resulted in the enactment of public policies that have served as models in other states. During her tenure as Director of Government + Community Affairs at Essential Access Health, Sylvia shaped and advanced the organization’s state policy platform and developed patient education and consumer awareness initiatives. She also oversaw the Women + Health Care Reform Coalitions in Sacramento County and the Bay Area. Additionally, she served on the steering committee for the End the Epidemics coalition, which convenes 75 California partners to bring an end to STIs, HIV, viral hepatitis and overdose. Prior to joining Essential Access, Sylvia was a Policy Analyst at AltaMed Health Services in Los Angeles, where she advocated for the health and wellness of patients and their families and communities. A native of Los Angeles, she received her Bachelor of Arts in History and Latin American Studies from UCLA and attended the University of San Francisco Public Affairs graduate program.
![Placeholder headshot](/themes/custom/kmc_ncg/img/no_pic.jpg)
Marisol Franco
![Placeholder headshot](/themes/custom/kmc_ncg/img/no_pic.jpg)
Marisol Franco
Marisol is responsible for leading program development and curriculum for the Solís Policy Institute (SPI)-State, SPI-Local, and Funders Policy Institute as well as Women Foundation California’s overall policy advocacy strategy. She is a Solís Policy Insitute alum and believes all people have the right to thrive, including a living wage, health care, education, and affordable housing. A first generation Mexican/Xicana-identified, intersectional feminist, Marisol was the Associate Director and founding member of the California Latinas for Reproductive Justice’s (CLRJ). For the last 12 years, she served on the board of California Coalition for Reproductive Freedom, most recently as its President. Marisol graduated from Yale University with a B.A. in Latin American Studies. Marisol is a travel enthusiast and enjoys her loyal companion, a playful dog named Frida.
![Aldita Gallardo](/system/files/styles/avatar_4x4_top/private/headshots/Screen%20Shot%202023-08-01%20at%202.53.49%20PM_0.png?itok=FRr245gQ)
Aldita Gallardo
![Aldita Gallardo](/system/files/styles/avatar_4x4_top/private/headshots/Screen%20Shot%202023-08-01%20at%202.53.49%20PM_0.png?itok=FRr245gQ)
Aldita Gallardo
![Ola Osaze](/system/files/styles/avatar_4x4_top/private/headshots/Ola%20Osaze%20headshot.jpeg?itok=id-zKXV3)
Ola Osaze
![Ola Osaze](/system/files/styles/avatar_4x4_top/private/headshots/Ola%20Osaze%20headshot.jpeg?itok=id-zKXV3)
Ola Osaze
Ola Osifo Osaze (any pronoun) is a formerly undocumented trans migrant of Edo and Yoruba descent who was born in Nigeria and is now based in NYC. A past grantee and fellow now serving as the Cultivation Strategist, Ola is excited to lead TJFP’s fundraising and resource organizing strategies in partnership with the Fund’s incredible staff and supporter community.
Ola has amassed decades of organizing, movement building, and fundraising experience within, and on behalf of, LGBTQ+ BIPOC and migrant communities. Ola was the founding director of the Black LGBTQ+ Migrant Project and co-founded the Black Migrant Power Fund. As a resource organizer and fundraiser, Ola is most invested in co-creating and/or sustaining movement-led initiatives which utilize a Black, Queer and Trans liberatory lens.
Among other things, Ola is also a writer, perpetual traveler, foodie, afrobeat enthusiast, and dog parent.
![Yuan Wang](/system/files/styles/avatar_4x4_top/private/headshots/Yuan%20Wang%20headshot_0.jpeg?itok=gCkiUCBe)
Yuan Wang
![Yuan Wang](/system/files/styles/avatar_4x4_top/private/headshots/Yuan%20Wang%20headshot_0.jpeg?itok=gCkiUCBe)
Yuan Wang
Yuan (she/they) is a transgender, non-binary Chinese-American organizer, & the Executive Director of Lavender Phoenix (formerly known as APIENC). After starting at Lavender Phoenix as a Summer Organizer apprentice, Yuan served as Lavender Phoenix’s Trans Justice Community Organizer, and became Lavender Phoenix’s Executive Director in December, 2021. Their role involves supporting Lavender Phoenix’s staff team, sustaining abundant resources for our organizing, & rooting Lavender Phoenix’s long-term culture and strategy in our evergreen values. Her community at Lavender Phoenix has taught her what interdependence looks like in practice, and reminds her everyday to lead with care and vulnerability.