March 2024 Newsletter

Greetings Neighbor,

I’m pleased to extend a warm welcome to our March newsletter issue! Our monthly newsletters serve as an important link to our constituents, allowing me to share updates, legislative news and district events. 

In this issue, we want to share some of our latest news, including a new board appointment, recent awards, and a district recognition and event. We hope that our monthly issues help our amazing community of constituents feel more connected to the work that we do in our district and across our state. 

As always, your feedback and input are encouraged. Feel free to reach our District or Capitol staff if you need assistance with accessing state services. And please visit our website to get more updates, submit scheduling requests or read our recent media coverage. 

Warm Regards,

Lola Smallwood-Cuevas
Senator, 28th District

I am grateful and honored that Pro Tem Mike McGuire appointed me to the new role as a member of the California Workforce Development Board. I have dedicated my career to helping uplift workers and working families across our state, and as a member of the Board, I will be committed to ensuring that equity, social justice and empowerment remain a focal point.

It is important to acknowledge that the strength of our economy is intrinsically tied to the well-being of our workforce. As a Board, it is our collective responsibility to stand up for the rights of each worker, regardless of their background or ethnicity, to ensure that they are treated with dignity and respect.

I pledge to work resolutely alongside my colleagues on the Board to address the needs of California’s workforce, particularly our most vulnerable workers who depend on our leadership to advance policies that support fair wages, workplace safety, career-path training and access to quality jobs. Together, we can champion labor laws that reflect these values to build a future where no worker is left behind.

California Coalition for Worker Power organizers (from left) Silvia Peralta-Hernandez and Norma Fajardo present the Senator with the Dream Builder award.

I was proud to be the recipient of two awards that were presented by two major labor organizations this month. Building the California Dream Alliance, a coalition of statewide advocacy organizations, bestowed me with the Dream Builder award for introducing progressive legislation that helps Californians get a better chance at realizing their dreams. The California Labor Federation presented me with the All Stars award for my 100% voting record in supporting legislation that champions the rights of California’s workers.

California Labor Federation members join the Senator on stage to congratulate her on the award recognition.

To celebrate extraordinary women for Women’s History Month, we presented Janette Robinson Flint with our California Woman of the Year award on the Senate floor. Janette is the Founder and Executive Director of Black Women for Wellness, a pioneering wellness organization based in the South Los Angeles community of our district.

Black Women for Wellness is committed to improving the health and well-being of Black women and girls through providing health education, self-empowerment tools, and advocacy support. Since opening their doors in August 1997, the organization has passed numerous policies in California that have directly impacted the lives of countless Black women and girls statewide.

Earlier this month, members of the State Legislature convened at the Capitol to attend the 2024 State of the Judiciary Address delivered by Chief Justice Patricia Guerrero. Following the address, three of the Legislature’s Labor Committee Chairs – myself and Assemblymembers Tina McKinnor and Liz Ortega – were able to gather together with Governor Newsom!