Thanks to the careful analysis, effective advocacy, and dedication of LWVO members, in particular our Reparations Task Force led by Marlene Rubain, the League of Women Voters of California (LWVC) recently announced the formation of a new LWVC Advocacy Interest Group: The Reparations Advocacy Interest Group (RAIG). The formation of a statewide interest group will create a space for League members across California to come together to learn, discuss, and explore advocacy opportunities related to reparations efforts at both the state and local levels. Sign up for RAIG’s introductory online meet and greet Sunday, December 7, 3:30-5 pm.
What Interest Groups Do
LWVC Interest Groups (IGs) bring together members who share a passion for an issue — such as water, housing, climate change, or criminal justice. IGs provide forums for education, sharing resources, supporting local Leagues, and exploring how existing League positions apply to emerging issues. While IGs do not speak for the League, they help inform state advocacy work and engage members in meaningful statewide discussions. See Interest Group Guidelines.
Why Reparations, Why Now
In 2023, California’s Reparations Task Force released a groundbreaking report documenting the economic, social, and political harms inflicted on Black Californians across generations - from slavery to redlining, racially motivated eminent domain, and systemic discrimination in housing, education, and healthcare. The report emphasizes that repair is not just about monetary compensation, but also systemic reforms, investment in communities, and acknowledging historical injustices.
In response, the California Legislative Black Caucus introduced a package of bills in 2025, a number of which Governor Newsom vetoed. The Governor did, however, sign two important bills:
- SB 437 will fund the California State University system to develop genealogical methods to confirm who qualifies as a descendant of enslaved people.
- SB 518 will establish a state Bureau within the Civil Rights Department to officially verify descendant status, run public education on systemic racism, and safeguard sensitive data.
Together, these bills create the research tools and state infrastructure needed to determine eligibility for reparations and prepare California to implement future programs.
LWVO Forms Its Reparations Task Force
At LWVO’s June 2025 Annual Members Meeting featured speaker attorney Don Tamaki—a member of Governor Newsom’s Reparations Task Force—requested that LWVO support four reparations-related bills then pending before the California Legislature. Motivated by Mr. Tamaki’s remarks, Marlene Rubain, a new LWVO member, presented Mr. Tamaki’s request to the LWVC Legislative Committee.
The Committee had not reviewed the bills. Nor had it studied or adopted a position on the issue of reparations. In the absence of an official LWVC position on a state issue, local League members are prohibited from making any public statement on the matter on behalf of the League.
So Marlene convened a meeting of interested LWVO members in July 2025 to discuss next steps. The group resolved to review reparations legislation presented in the next legislation season and provide the LWVC with strong legislative analysis in support. Recognizing the importance of formal recognition within the League, the group also sought official status within LWVO. At the September LWVO Board Meeting, Marlene’s group presented a case for formation of the Reparations Task Force (RTF), which the Board approved.
In the months since, the RTF expanded its objectives beyond advocating for LWVC action on reparations legislation. It also seeks to inform and educate local Leagues across California on the issue, serve as a resource for information on upcoming legislation, facilitate timely information sharing among League members, and coordinate targeted collective engagement as needed.
However, other local Leagues were reluctant to join as they were aware of the lack of an official LWVC position and the League's commitment to unified communication—“speaking with one voice”. Observing that state-level endorsement would address these valid concerns, LWVO President Ernestine Nettles recommended the RTF explore how it could attain the status of an LWVC-sanctioned IG.
LWVC Creates the Reparations Advocacy Interest Group
The Oakland RTF met with LWVC representatives on October 29 to discuss the RTF’s activities and objectives. The LWVC acknowledged that the work of the RTF aligns with League values, mission, purpose, and existing positions. Recognizing that elevating the RTF to State IG status would enhance its effectiveness, LWVC created the RAIG, open to all League members wishing to contribute to advancing League initiatives on the matter.
According to LWVC Deputy Director Dora Rose,
“As we move toward 2026 the advocacy groups leading the charge on reparations are determining next steps. It is a good time for the state League to establish an Interest Group to help educate our members about the issues, share what’s going on at the local level, and help determine how our positions might apply to reparations-related state bills that will be introduced next year.”
She explained the goals of the RAIG:
- Educate League members on the history, recommendations, and recent legislation related to reparations.
- Invite members to attend forums, webinars, exhibits, lectures, etc., that shed light on reparations.
- Share resources and analysis across the state.
- Create space for thoughtful discussion on how reparations align with League values of equity, justice, and democracy.
- Make recommendations for action on bills where League positions support engagement.
Join Us
Under Marlene's effective and enthusiastic leadership, RAIG aims to grow its membership to include Leaguers statewide and to collaborate with the many California organizations addressing historic and ongoing injustices resulting from systemic human rights violations. Reflecting on these developments, Marlene is optimistic about RAIG's future. Emphasizing RAIG's inclusive approach and ambitious goals, she stresses, “We've got a big tent and a big vision for the future. So much has happened in such a short amount of time and being in the room where it happened gave me hope!”
Membership in the Reparations Advocacy IG is open to all California League members.
- A kick-off Meet and Greet will be held via Zoom on Sunday, December 7 from 3:30- 5 PM. If you would like to join, please register.
- To add your name to the interest group listserv and join the conversation now, please email sjorgensen@lwvc.org and ask her to add your email address to the listserv. Please include your full name and your local League.
We look forward to your participation in this important work to empower voters, defend democracy, and pursue equity through repair.