Letter to the Editor: CFBPW Supports Affirmative Action

The California Federation of Business and Professional Women (CFBPW) supports Affirmative Action, which gives women and minorities a chance at education and employment. Proposition 16 on the November 3rd ballot would restore Affirmative Action in California.

Affirmative Action is an anti-discrimination program that expands the pool of qualified applicants for employment, education and contracting, and encourages the participation of under-represented or underutilized groups. Federal regulations explicitly prohibit affirmative action programs in which unqualified or unneeded employees are hired. It is intended as a program of inclusion, not exclusion. California is one of only eight states that have banned the consideration of race in university admissions and public employment.

Proposition 209 appeared on the ballot in the November 5, 1996 election. The question was referred on the ballot as a citizen initiated constitutional amendment, proposing to ban preferential treatment and discrimination in public education, employment and contracting. Proposition 209 has wrongly tied the hands of universities seeking to enroll a more diverse student body.

Affirmative Action opened many doors of opportunity. However, women continue to earn only $0.82, African American women $0.62, Native American women only $0.57 and Latinas only $0.54 for each dollar a man earns. Until the playing field is level, Affirmative Action, as a public policy can keep the doors of opportunity open for upcoming generations of women and minorities.

CFBPW President said “For far too long Proposition 209 has cost women and minority owned businesses millions of dollars. It’s time to level the playing field and overturn this ban on equal opportunity. CFBPW urges a YES vote on Proposition 16 on the November 3rd ballot.”

Rosemary Enzer, President

California Federation of Business and Professional Women