April 20, 2026
She Creates Love
“Because informed women change the world.”
The Numbers Don’t Lie — Pay Equity & Economic Justice
Equal Pay Day came and went on March 26, 2026 — and the data it revealed for Washington State is a wake-up call. The wage gap isn’t closing. It’s widening.
Washington State has returned to the 2nd widest wage gap in the nation by total dollars lost, behind only Utah.
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.
Measured as a ratio, Washington ranks the 8th worst in the nation: women earning 72 cents for every dollar men earn.
Racial disparities are growing — not shrinking:
GroupGap vs. White Non-Hispanic MenYear-over-Year IncreaseLatina women$37,796 less+$1,087American Indian / Alaska Native women$33,659 less+$1,334Native Hawaiian / Pacific Islander women$30,578 less+$500Black women$29,237 less+$802White non-Hispanic women$23,237 less+$387
Nationally, Black women experienced one of the largest single-year employment losses in decades in 2025, with 300,000 jobs lost.
The Washington State Women’s Commission launched the “Activate 3.8” campaign — a reference to the 3.8 million women and girls in Washington State.
Women make up roughly half the U.S. workforce — yet only 11% of Fortune 500 companies have women CEOs, and women make up less than 30% of Congress.
“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
Sources: Washington State Women’s Commission / National Partnership for Women and Families, Equal Pay Day Report, March 26, 2026; Washington State Standard (Faye Guenther commentary, April 3, 2026)
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Laws in Motion — 2026 Legislative Session Recap
The Washington State Women’s Commission called the 2026 session “fast-paced” with “meaningful progress for women.” Here is what passed — and what didn’t.
Bills Passed
SSB 5917 — Abortion Medication Access (Passed, Governor Acted): Makes the state’s existing stockpile of medication abortion more accessible to licensed health professionals statewide.
SB 6081 — Privacy Protection: Protects Washingtonians from unauthorized disclosure of sex designation information.
HB 2242 — Preventive Services Access: Preserves access to preventive health services.
HB 1128 — Child Care Workforce Standards Board (Passed): Establishes a board to recommend minimum employment standards for child care workers — wages, working conditions, and workforce stability.
SB 6346 — Millionaire’s Tax: Established a tax on high-income earners to support public services and improve tax equity.
SB 5852/HB 2105 — Immigrant Worker Protections: Required employer notification of federal immigration audits and limited voluntary sharing of worker records without a warrant.
HB 2173/SB 5855 — Law Enforcement Masking: Prohibited most use of face coverings by law enforcement during public interactions.
Bills That Did Not Pass
SB 6017/HB 2493 — Crime Victims & Witnesses: Would have expanded the definition of sexual violence and restricted direct questioning of victims by pro se defendants.
SB 6070 — Missing Persons Alerts: Would have expanded the definition of endangered missing persons and created new alert systems. (A significant setback for MMIWP advocacy.)
HB 1591 — Survivor Justice Act: Would have allowed courts to consider abuse history in sentencing.
Sources: Washington State Women’s Commission, 2026 Legislative Recap; WSCADV 2026 Legislative Session Report
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Standing With Survivors — Domestic Violence & Sexual Assault
April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month. WSCADV reminds us that prevention starts in everyday conversations, in the way we support survivors, and in the choices we make about what our communities will and won’t accept.
The Washington State Legislature allocated $21.3 million to maintain victim services, meeting the full funding request from the WA State Coalition Against Domestic Violence & Sexual Assault (WSCADV). This was the Coalition’s top priority after steep declines in federal support left many programs at risk of closure.
However, this allocation does not establish a long-term sustainable funding solution. The fight for stable, ongoing support continues.
WSCADV has expanded its role as Washington’s federally recognized sexual assault coalition (announced February 2026).
90% of sexual assault survivors have PTSD symptoms within the first two weeks after an assault; only about 40% ever report their assault to police.
“Accountability is not a threat to our movements; it is part of what gives them integrity.”— WSCADV, Solidarity Statement with Dolores Huerta and all survivors of sexual violence (March 20, 2026), following Huerta’s disclosure of abuse by Cesar Chavez
Sources: WSCADV; KNKX Public Radio; Futures Without Violence
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Childcare & Workforce — Investing in Our Littlest and the Women Who Care for Them
Child care is a women’s issue. It is a workforce issue. It is an economic justice issue. This month brought both progress and painful cuts.
Gov. Bob Ferguson announced $55.8 million in Early Learning Facilities grants (April 17, 2026) — creating approximately 2,000 new child care spaces across 50+ jurisdictions and 74 recipients.
The Ballmer Group committed to funding up to 10,000 more ECEAP slots over the next decade — a potential investment of more than $1 billion.
The Department of Commerce received 325 applications requesting $277 million total — showing the scale of need far exceeds available resources.
Commerce has awarded more than $235 million from the Early Learning Facilities Program since 2017.
The Other Side of the Coin
The Transition to Kindergarten program took a 25% funding cut, leading to approximately 2,000 fewer spots. State Superintendent Chris Reykdal called it the most “ill-advised and damaging cut to education” in his 30 years.
HB 1128 — Child Care Workforce Standards Board was signed into law, addressing the crisis of low compensation and poor working conditions for child care workers. The bill notes that high-quality child care returns $6 in value for every $1 invested.
Sources: Washington State Standard; Governor’s Office; WA Department of Commerce
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Justice in Action — Sex Trafficking Cases & Convictions
A federal conviction in Seattle this spring is a reminder that trafficking happens here — in our state, in our cities, in luxury apartments blocks from where families live.
Brandon Denzel Washington, 33, of California, was convicted in U.S. District Court in Seattle on March 19, 2026, of six federal felonies related to multi-state sex trafficking.
He used internet recruitment, violence, manipulation, and false promises to compel vulnerable women into sex work across WA, NV, CA, OR, and HI between 2014–2021.
Four named victims testified about brutal assaults and threats. Washington used victims’ earnings for luxury apartments, designer clothes, and a Bentley wrapped in gold worth over $120,000.
When victims escaped, they left without any of their earnings.
The investigation was sparked when a retired Bellevue Police officer noticed a high number of men visiting a luxury apartment building. Sentencing is scheduled for June 18, 2026.
New Grant Opportunity
The WA Office of Crime Victims Advocacy (OCVA) opened applications on April 8, 2026 for Human Trafficking Services and Outreach grants — funding direct support services for survivors of labor or sex trafficking.
Proposals due: May 13, 2026
Bidder’s Conferences: April 22, 2026 (11 AM and 1 PM PT, virtual)
National Human Trafficking Hotline: (888) 373-7888
Sources: U.S. Attorney’s Office, Western District of Washington; WA Department of Commerce OCVA
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We Say Her Name — Missing & Murdered Indigenous Women and People (MMIWP)
⚠ ACTIVE ALERT — Missing Indigenous Person
A Missing Indigenous Person Alert (MIPA) has been issued in Seattle for 20-year-old Margaret Ewen, last seen on April 1 near Aurora Avenue.She is 5’8”, approximately 130 lbs, with brown hair and brown eyes, and may be wearing a blond wig.
If you see Margaret Ewen or have any information about her whereabouts, call 911 immediately.
The WA MMIWP Task Force, administered by the Attorney General’s Office, released its third annual report to the Legislature in June 2025, addressing systemic causes of violence against Indigenous people including data collection, jurisdiction, and training.
A Missing Indigenous Persons Toolkit was released May 2025 for families and friends to use if someone they know is missing.
SB 6070 — Missing Persons Alerts did not pass in 2026. It would have expanded the definition of endangered missing persons and created new alert systems — this bill’s failure is a setback for MMIWP advocacy.
Sources: Washington State Patrol; Seattle Police Department; Washington Attorney General’s Office MMIWP Task Force
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Women Rising — Industry & Leadership
Women across the Pacific Northwest are stepping into leadership — and building the ladders for those behind them.
NWWLA Spring Leadership Summit — May 1, 2026, Mercer Island: The Northwest Women’s Leadership Academy hosts its Spring Summit featuring a #SheLeadsGov panel of women city managers and administrators who have overcome barriers. Panelists include:
Katrina Knutson (City Administrator, City of Gig Harbor)
Torie Brazitis (County Administrator, Kitsap County)
Deborah Knight (City Administrator, City of Monroe)
Anjali Myer (Director of Parks, Recreation, and Facilities, City of Sammamish)
Richa Sigdel (City Manager, City of Pasco)
NWWLA Cohort 8 applications open April 24, 2026 — designed to advance women in local government leadership across Washington State.
The Women of Water Leadership Symposium took place in Seattle and expanded to Boise this year due to growing popularity, with the theme “Voices United for Collective Action.”
Faye Guenther wrote in the Washington State Standard (April 3, 2026) calling for women to “occupy at least half of all leadership positions in government, business, and the labor movement.” She highlighted that the majority of workers organizing for union representation are women.— Washington State Standard
Sources: NWWLA; Association of Washington Cities; PNCWA; Washington State Standard
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Girls on the Rise — Youth Empowerment
The next generation of leaders, changemakers, and truth-tellers is already here. Let’s invest in them.
Girls Inc. of the Pacific Northwest continues to build strong, smart, and bold leaders in Portland, Seattle, and SW Washington. Their 5th annual Girls Night Out fundraiser is June 4, 2026, at Castaway Portland — raising funds for research-based programs.
Evergreen Girls State 2026: June 21–26, 2026 at Central Washington University in Ellensburg. Open to current high school junior girls. This American Legion Auxiliary program develops future leaders grounded in democratic governance. Scholarship opportunities are available.
The WA Women’s Commission’s Activate 3.8 campaign includes inspiring school-age girls to explore different career paths.
The WA State Women’s Commission is accepting applications for Commissioners — especially encouraging women in Eastern WA and those 65+ to apply. Next opening in July 2026.
Sources: Girls Inc. PNW; American Legion Auxiliary Evergreen Girls State; Washington State Women’s Commission
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Mark Your Calendar — Upcoming Advocacy Events & Dates
Date Event
April 2026 Sexual Assault Awareness Month — WSCADV has resources at wscadv.org
April 22, 2026 OCVA Human Trafficking Bidder’s Conferences (11 AM and 1 PM PT, virtual)
May 1, 2026 NWWLA Spring Women’s Leadership Summit — Mercer Island Community Center, 9 AM – 4:30 PM
May 13, 2026 OCVA Human Trafficking Services and Outreach grants — proposals due
May 25, 2026 Deadline for NWWLA Cohort 8 applications
June 4, 2026 Girls Inc. PNW Girls Night Out — Castaway Portland, 5:30 – 9 PM
June 18, 2026 Sentencing date for Brandon Denzel Washington (sex trafficking case, Seattle)
June 21–26, 2026 Evergreen Girls State — Central Washington University, Ellensburg
July 2026 WA Women’s Commission — new Commissioner opening
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Know Where to Turn — Resources & Hotlines
You are not alone. Help is available. Share these widely.
National Domestic Violence Hotline: 1-800-799-7233
National Sexual Assault Hotline (RAINN): 1-800-656-4673
Crisis Text Line: Text HOME to 741741
National Human Trafficking Hotline: 1-888-373-7888
Strong Hearts Native Helpline: 1-844-762-8483
Washington 211: Call or text 211 for local resources (housing, food, childcare, crisis)
WSCADV: wscadv.org
WA Women's Commission Resource Center: wswc.wa.gov
Legal Voice: legalvoice.org
Washington State NOW: now-wa.org
Girls Inc. of the Pacific Northwest: girlsincpnw.org
MMIWP Toolkit for Families: Available through the WA Attorney General’s Office — atg.wa.gov
⚠ Active Missing Person Alert
If you see Margaret Ewen or have information about her whereabouts, call 911 immediately.
“Knowledge is power. Sharing is action. Together, we create love.”
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