Pasadena Women’s Commission Pushes Forward on Equal Pay, Safe Parking Ahead of March Meeting

A domestic violence survivor’s name shows up on a campaign flyer she never agreed to. That scenario — the one Pasadena’s Commission on the Status of Women flagged as a real danger — helped drive a City Council vote last month to tighten privacy protections in local elections. Now the commission heads into its March 4 meeting with that win behind it, and a full agenda ahead.

The commission meets Wednesday at 6 p.m. at the Jackie Robinson Community Center, 1020 N. Fair Oaks Ave. The agenda is brief. But the work behind it tells a different story.

Perhaps the most significant recent development came Feb. 2. That night, the City Council voted to adopt revised language in its voluntary guide for candidates. The new language requires express consent from community members before their names or addresses appear in campaign materials.

The commission had flagged the practice as a potential danger. Survivors of domestic violence, stalking or sexual violence could be exposed by having their information published without permission. The vote marked a quiet but concrete win.

Equal pay remains an active front. The commission has been pushing the city to adopt the California Equal Pay Pledge and wants City Council to formally recognize Equal Pay Day. Commissioners have discussed coordinating a proclamation with the annual HERstory event.

That event is set for Saturday, March 14, at Robinson Park Recreation Center. Planning has been underway since the summer.

The centerpiece is a screening of scenes from “Lilly,” a feature film about Lilly Ledbetter, the Alabama worker whose wage discrimination case led to landmark federal legislation. A panel discussion will follow.

Confirmed panelists include Tiffany Jacobs-Quinn, the city’s director of human resources, and Rachel Feldman, the film’s director, on a tentative basis. Vice Mayor Jess Rivas will deliver opening remarks. Organizers are still seeking a female partner from a local employment and civil rights law firm.

Pasadena Federal Credit Union has committed $1,000 to help offset costs. The film licensing fee is still working through the city’s procurement process.

Translation services are budgeted at roughly $600. Pasadena Media has been approved to film and photograph the event.

Safe parking is also on the commission’s radar. At the February meeting, commissioners reviewed a draft letter supporting expansion of the city’s safe parking program. The full commission planned to approve a final version March 4 and submit it ahead of a March 9 City Council hearing on the issue.

At the February meeting, a member of the public had already raised the topic. James Maddox addressed commissioners, saying he plans to bring the issue before City Council when safe parking returns to the agenda.

The commission also continues to coordinate with the Community Police Oversight Commission. Discussions are expected to begin at the ad hoc committee level, with deeper collaboration anticipated in the next fiscal year starting July 2026.

Wednesday’s formal agenda includes approval of February minutes and a vote on the date and time for the June 2026 annual meeting. Commissioners will also review and approve work plan and presentation calendar updates for March.

Public comment is accepted in person by submitting a speaker card to the recording secretary. Written correspondence can be emailed to jconcul@cityofpasadena.net at least 30 minutes before the meeting begins.

Wednesday, March 4, 6 p.m. Jackie Robinson Community Center, 1020 N. Fair Oaks Ave., Pasadena. (626) 744-7300. https://www.cityofpasadena.net/commissions/commission-on-the-status-of-women/

Saturday, March 14 — HERstory event. Robinson Park Recreation Center, 1081 N. Fair Oaks Ave., Pasadena.