Cephas appointed to the Pennsylvania Commission for Women by Governor Wolf
Rep. Morgan B. Cephas January 7, 2021 | 11:54 AM
The same week she was sworn in for her third term, state Rep. Morgan Cephas today announced Gov. Tom Wolf has appointed her to the Pennsylvania Commission for Women.
Cephas said the group is responsible for advising the governor on policies and legislation; economic and civic opportunities; mentorship programs; and resources that benefit women and girls.
"I am honored and grateful to Governor Wolf for appointing me to this position, and I look forward to working with my fellow members to build upon their tireless efforts to protect, support and strengthen the rights and opportunities for women and girls in the commonwealth," said Cephas, D-Phila.
In her former position as chairwoman of the Pennsylvania Legislative Black Caucus' Subcommittee on Women and Girls of Color and current vice chairwoman of the Democratic Women's Health Caucus, Cephas has introduced a plethora of bills since taking office aimed at ensuring the needs of women are prioritized, including proposals to:
- Restore dignity to incarcerated women by providing them access to free feminine hygiene and incontinence products; updating restraint laws to protect pregnant women and their children; and creating an environment that supports rehabilitation and re-entry.
- Lower the maternal mortality rate by extending Medicaid coverage for medical assistance up to 1-year related postpartum, and to cover doula services; creating a Doula Advisory Board; requiring training to address implicit bias and culture competency that impact care and quality of care for patients of color, including women of color during pregnancy and childbirth; and adding severe maternal morbidity to the list of reportable events within the Pennsylvania Department of Health.
- Disclose sexual harassment in the workplace by banning the requirement of nondisclosure agreements related to sexual harassment as a condition of getting a job but would not prevent such an agreement if it was agreed to by both parties.
"It's unacceptable that it's 2021, and women continue being mistreated in the workplace and are still paid substantially less than men for doing the same job," explained Cephas. "It is unacceptable that women of color are three times more likely to die giving birth than other women. I am determined to use my new role to implement real change and identify new opportunities that women and young girls need now more than ever."
More information about the Pennsylvania Commission for Women can be found on the governor's website.