April 13, 2026
She Creates Love
Women & Girls News Briefing
Washington State & the Pacific Northwest
April 13, 2026
"Because informed women change the world."
✦ ✦ ✦
The Numbers Don't Lie — Pay Equity & Economic Justice
Washington State has returned to the 2nd widest wage gap in the nation by total dollars lost, behind only Utah, according to the National Partnership for Women and Families. Women in Washington earned a median of $18,545 less than men in 2024. In 2023, the gap had briefly narrowed to $17,400, but it widened again — a painful reversal of short-lived progress.
When measured as a ratio, Washington ranks 8th worst, with women earning 72 cents for every dollar earned by men.
The disparities are especially steep for women of color:
● Latina women face the largest gap: $37,796 less than white, non-Hispanic men (up $1,087 from 2023)
● American Indian/Alaska Native women: $33,659 less (gap increased by $1,334)
● Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander women: $30,578 less (gap increased by $500)
● Black women: $29,237 less (gap increased by $802)
● White, non-Hispanic women: $23,237 less (gap increased by $387)
Nationally, Black women experienced one of the largest single-year employment losses in decades in 2025, with 300,000 jobs lost.
"Data alone cannot tell us the complete story. We need a deeper look at what's driving these shifts and what it will take to create lasting, equitable change."
— Brittany Gregory, Executive Director, Washington State Women's Commission
Source: Washington State Women's Commission / National Partnership for Women and Families, Equal Pay Day Report, March 26, 2026.
✦ ✦ ✦
Laws in Motion — 2026 Legislative Wins & Watch List
The Washington State Women's Commission called the 2026 legislative session "fast-paced" with "meaningful progress for women" in several key areas.
Bills Passed
● SSB 5917 — Abortion Medication Access (PASSED, Governor Acted): Makes the state's existing stockpile of medication abortion (purchased in 2023) more accessible to licensed health professionals statewide.
● SB 6081 — Privacy Protection: Protects Washingtonians from unauthorized disclosure of sex designation information and historic sex designation changes in official government records.
● HB 2242 — Preventive Services Access: Preserves access to preventive health services by clarifying state definitions.
● HB 1128 — Child Care Workforce Standards Board (PASSED): Establishes a collaborative board bringing together child care workers, employers, parents, and state agencies to recommend minimum employment standards — addressing wages, working conditions, and workforce stability. Sponsored by Rep. Mary Fosse (D-Everett).
● "Millionaire's Tax" Adopted: A new progressive revenue measure designed to make lasting investments in fundamental state services.
Bills That Did Not Pass
● SB 5888 — Women's Commission Appointment Process: Would have aligned the Women's Commission appointment process with peer commissions (Hispanic, Asian Pacific American, African American Affairs, LGBTQ). Died in session.
Advocacy Tracking
Washington State NOW is actively tracking bills related to immigrant protections, surveillance technology, abortion access, and sex trafficking prevention during the 2026 session, with links for constituents to comment directly to legislators.
Sources: Washington State Women's Commission 2026 Legislative Recap; Washington State House Democrats; WA State NOW.
✦ ✦ ✦
When Doors Close — The Fight for Survivor Services
Washington State's crime victim services face a funding crisis. Federal funding through the Victims of Crime Act (VOCA) has declined by more than 70% in recent years, and temporary state funding is set to expire.
In February 2026, 150 advocates gathered in Olympia urging legislators to include $21.3 million in the SFY27 state budget to stabilize services statewide.
"This is not an expansion request. It's about preventing permanent loss of services that survivors rely on in real time. When funding is unstable, services don't slowly shrink — they disappear."
— Sherrie Tinoco, Managing Director of Strategy and Public Policy, Washington State Coalition Against Domestic Violence & Sexual Assault
In SFY 2023, local domestic violence programs served 17,550 survivors and their children. Of those:
● 4,331 received emergency shelter
● 13,219 received non-shelter advocacy
● Emergency shelters provided over 173,150 shelter bed-nights
The Washington Legislature is actively weighing whether to cut millions from organizations helping survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault.
Advocates Stress:
"This budget decision determines whether help is there when survivors reach out."
Sources: Washington State Coalition Against Domestic Violence & Sexual Assault (Feb. 2026); KNKX Public Radio (Feb. 20, 2026); WA DSHS.
✦ ✦ ✦
Moms, Money & the Childcare Cliff
Governor Ferguson's proposed supplemental budget includes $322 million in cuts to child care and early learning — a disproportionate share of total budget reductions.
Working Connections Child Care (WCCC), which currently helps over 40,000 Washington families afford child care, faces a proposed caseload cap of 33,000 households, potentially removing 11,000–14,000 families from subsidy eligibility.
● New applications to WCCC would be paused from July 1 through December 31, 2026 under the proposed plan (except for child welfare-involved families).
● Provider reimbursement rates face a reduction from 85% to 75% of market value, putting providers in the difficult position of raising prices or enrolling fewer subsidized children.
● The advocacy coalition warns the childcare crisis will cost the state's economy $6 billion per year if cuts proceed.
"The backbone of our child care workforce is immigrant women — in the current federal climate it is more important than ever for the legislature to support the workers in this industry."
— MomsRising
Win:
HB 1128, the Child Care Workforce Standards Board bill, passed the legislature and is headed to the governor's desk — a step toward addressing chronic low wages and high turnover in the child care workforce.
Sources: MomsRising; BrightSpark Early Learning; WA State House Democrats; Start Early WA; Child Care Action Council.
✦ ✦ ✦
Justice Delivered — Trafficking Cases in the Spotlight
Recent Cases
Brandon Washington, 33, convicted in Seattle (March 2026): Found guilty of six federal felonies — including conspiracy to engage in sex trafficking through force, fraud, and coercion — after a four-week trial. Prosecutors said he moved victims through Washington, Nevada, California, Oregon, and Hawaii between 2014–2021, using violence and manipulation. He obtained a $120,000 gold-wrapped Bentley through the exploitation of one victim. He faces a mandatory minimum of 15 years, with conspiracy charges punishable by up to life imprisonment.
Source: U.S. Attorney's Office, Western District of Washington / MyNorthwest, March 20, 2026.
James Anthony Stinson, 55, sentenced to 30 years (March 2026): A Spokane man convicted on 11 felony counts including sex trafficking, drug trafficking, and unlawful firearms possession. He used hotel rooms in Spokane Valley as hubs for drugs, guns, and sexual exploitation. The court also ordered 10 years supervised release and approximately $28,000 in restitution.
Source: U.S. Attorney's Office, Eastern District of Washington / The Spokesman-Review, March 2026.
Key Washington State Data
● 89% of Washington trafficking victims reported being first exploited as children.
● Fewer than half of Washington and Oregon counties have convicted anyone of sex trafficking crimes in the last decade, yet hundreds of victims are identified each year.
● Between 2014–2023, 71% of buyers charged with purchasing sex from a minor in King County were white men.
● $2.5 million in mandatory buyer fees went uncollected over the past decade in Washington courts.
● BIPOC women and girls, especially Black and Native American youth, are at particular risk.
Sources: U.S. Attorney's Office (Western & Eastern Districts of WA); King County Prosecuting Attorney's Office Fact Sheet; InvestigateWest; OPB.
✦ ✦ ✦
No More Stolen Sisters — MMIWP Update
The Washington State MMIWP Task Force, administered by the Attorney General's Office, released its third annual report to the Legislature in June 2025, accompanied by two supplemental research reports. The Task Force continues to address data collection, jurisdiction, and training challenges and proposes actionable recommendations.
The Task Force also released a Missing Indigenous Persons Toolkit (May 2025) — a resource for families and friends when someone goes missing.
● Washington State is rated 2nd highest in the nation for missing Indigenous women cases in urban centers.
● Seattle ranks #1 among cities nationwide and Tacoma ranks 7th for MMIWG cases. (Source: Urban Indian Health Institute)
● More than 84% of American Indian and Alaska Native women have experienced violence in their lifetime, including 56.1% who have experienced sexual violence. (Source: National Institute of Justice)
Mark This Date:
May 5 is the National Day of Awareness for MMIWR — honoring Hanna Harris of the Northern Cheyenne Tribe. The National Week of Action runs May 5–9, 2026. NIWRC has released a 2025 Social Media and Public Awareness Toolkit for communities to amplify the cause.
StrongHearts Native Helpline offers 24/7 support: 1-844-762-8483 (call or chat).
Sources: WA Attorney General's Office MMIWP Task Force; NIWRC; Urban Indian Health Institute; National Institute of Justice.
✦ ✦ ✦
She Leads — Women Rising in Industry & Leadership
WomenRising Spring 2026 Conference (April 13, 2026, Virtual): A half-day leadership and empowerment event featuring keynotes from leaders at Warner Bros. Discovery, Citi, Vonage, Airbus, CNN, Sherwin-Williams, and more. Topics include leading through crisis, reclaiming time from burnout, and reinventing your career without starting over. Hosted by the Washington Women Leaders Association.
Women of Water Leadership Symposium (PNCWA): Two symposiums in 2026 — Seattle (February 4, sold out) and Boise (April 14). Theme: "Voices United for Collective Action." Featured speakers include Dr. Jessica Ray of the University of Washington on water treatment innovation, and panels on leadership storytelling in the water industry.
PNW Women's Network LIVE 2026: A full-day leadership, business, and wellness experience featuring keynotes, a Fierce Founders Panel spotlighting women building businesses, and a curated market supporting women-owned businesses.
Seattle NOW Legislative Celebration (April 15, 2026, 7–9 PM): At Rough and Tumble (Columbia City), celebrating the passage of multiple pro-women bills this session, including abortion access legislation.
Sources: Washington Women Leaders Association; PNCWA; PNW Women's Network; Seattle NOW.
✦ ✦ ✦
Bold Futures — Girls & Youth Empowerment
Girls Inc. of the Pacific Northwest (Portland, Seattle, SW Washington): Building strong, smart, and bold leaders — the longest-running girls' leadership program. Their 5th Annual Girls Night Out fundraiser is scheduled for June 4, 2026, 5:30–9:00 PM at Castaway Portland, raising funds for research-based programs.
You Grow Girl! (King County): A nonprofit founded by a former foster care recipient, providing comprehensive wraparound services to youth and families throughout Washington since 2002. Specializes in programming for Black, African American, African Diaspora, and Afro-ethnic youth. Services include outpatient behavioral health, mentoring, essential life skills, and leadership through the UN Foundation's Girl Up Initiative. Located in South Seattle/Mt. Baker and Spanaway/Tacoma.
AAUW WA Tech Trek STEM Camp: AAUW of Washington State continues to sponsor Tech Trek STEM camps for girls, building the next generation of women in science and technology.
Soroptimist International of Anacortes is offering grants (applications open through May 1) for programs dedicated to the empowerment and betterment of women and girls — educational advancement, personal growth, and socio-economic uplift.
Sources: Girls Inc. PNW; You Grow Girl!; AAUW of Washington State; Soroptimist International of Anacortes.
✦ ✦ ✦
Mark Your Calendar — Upcoming Events & Action Dates
Date April 13, 2026
Event WomenRising Spring 2026
Details Virtual half-day women's leadership conference (WA Women Leaders Assoc.)
Date April 14, 2026
Event Women of Water Symposium — Boise
Details Boise State University (PNCWA)
Date April 15, 2026
Event Seattle NOW Legislative Celebration
Details 7–9 PM at Rough and Tumble, Columbia City, Seattle
Date May 3, 2026
Event AAUW-WA Annual Meeting
Details 1–4 PM online via Zoom — free; book discussion: Invisible Women
Date May 5, 2026
Event National Day of Awareness for MMIWR
Details Honoring Hanna Harris — wear red, amplify Indigenous voices
Date May 5–9, 2026
Event National Week of Action for MMIWR
Details NIWRC social media toolkit and awareness campaign
Date June 4, 2026
Event Girls Night Out — Girls Inc. PNW
Details 5:30–9 PM at Castaway Portland — fundraiser
✦ ✦ ✦
You Are Not Alone — Resources & Hotlines
If you or someone you know needs support, these services are available around the clock:
● National Domestic Violence Hotline: 1-800-799-7233 (call, chat, or text 24/7)
● RAINN National Sexual Assault Hotline: 1-800-656-4673 (call, chat, or text 24/7)
● StrongHearts Native Helpline: 1-844-762-8483 (call or chat 24/7 — for Native communities)
● Teen Dating Violence Hotline: 1-866-331-9474 (call, chat, or text 24/7)
● King County Domestic Violence Hotline: 206-737-0242 or 877-737-0242 (call or chat 24/7)
● National Human Trafficking Hotline: 1-888-373-7888
● Washington Warm Line (Peer Support): 1-877-500-9276 (daily 2–11 PM)
● Teen Link (Youth Support): 1-866-833-6546 (call, text, or chat)
● WA Coalition Against DV & Sexual Assault — Find Local Help: wscadv.org/get-help-now
"Knowledge is power. Sharing is action. Together, we create love."
✦ ✦ ✦
She Creates Love © 2026 | Compiled with care for every woman and girl in Washington and the Pacific Northwest.
