Contact US

wrc.naswtx@socialworkers.org

Mission Statement

To advocate for the rights, health, well-being, and empowerment of Texas women. 

Purpose

To address gender inequities facing Texas women in social, economic, political, and cultural arenas.

Committee Members

Jessica Sanchez, PhD, LMSW, Chair

Sarah Wellborn, LCSW-S, Secretary 

Marta Mercado-Sierra, PH.D.

Shunale Oliver, LMSW
Alexa Smith-Osborn, PhD, LCSW-S

         Sara Manisco Chapo, LCSW

         Sarah Lackey, LCSW

         Ana Villarreal, LMSW

         Amanda Jones, LCSW-S, C-SWHC, CCTP

         Vanessa Cordoba, LMSW

For more information, contact any committee member or visit us on Facebook.

Members, Terms, and Criteria

The Committee shall be comprised of 10 to 12  members in good standing. Representation from the following practice areas will be encouraged: academia, non-profit, government, healthcare, violence against women advocate, student, and retiree.
 
Each member voluntarily serves a 2-year term. Members may serve up to two consecutive terms. The Chair or co-chairs are appointed by the NASW Texas Board President. The Committee shall meet every month and present the status of Texas Women at the annual NASW Texas state convention.

The Women’s Rights Committee:

• Advocates for public policies, including legislative bills, executive and administrative orders, and programs that support the rights and well-being of Texas women.
• Monitors compliance with enacted public policies to raise awareness of violations and promote political action and civic engagement among the social work community.
• Develops alliances among groups and organizations that promote and support the rights and well-being of Texas women to address: gender inequality, reproductive health, physical and mental health, youth, aging, addictions, immigration, Native women, incarceration, employment, voting rights, pregnancy and parenting, leadership and political participation, economic empowerment, violence against women, women and girls with disabilities, and support the advancement of women.
• Collaborates with NASW on issues impacting women’s rights and well-being Nationally and Internationally.
• Identify ways to eliminate sexist social work practices and policies and make recommendations to NASW Texas Board of Directors and appropriate organizational units for action.
• Participate in NASW Texas Annual Conference.

Resources

May is Maternal Mental Health Month 
NASW-TX stands in with the 1 in 5 mothers navigating maternal mental health challenges. In Texas, more than half of women experiencing perinatal mood disorders go without treatment. Social workers play a vital role in supporting families by connecting parents to mental health providers, hotline services, and trusted community resources. To learn more and access helpful tools, check out our new Maternal Mental Health Resource Guide here!

Women's Health

• Women’s Health
• Center for Disease Control Women’s Health
• Planned Parenthood
• NARAL Texas
• Texas Women and Medicaid
• Women’s Health and Family Planning Association of Texas
• National Latina Institute for Reproductive Health
• Texas Health and Human Services
  

General Women’s Issues

• National Organization of Women Texas
• Texas NAACP
• American Civil Liberties Union of Texas
• National Council for Negro Women

Equality and Poverty Issues

• National Committee on Pay Equity
• League of Women Voters of the US
• Equality Texas
• United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and Empowerment of Women
• Center for American Progress

Sexual Assault and Violence Against Women

• Texas Association Against Sexual Assault
• Texas Council on Family Violence

Older Women

• The Older Women’s League
• The Center for Advocacy for the Rights and Interests of the Elderly (CARIE)
• National Council on Aging
• AARP

Veterans:

• Women Veterans Alliance
• Grace After Fire
• Never Alone Advocacy 
  

People Living With Disabilities: 

• Disability Rights Texas  
• The Coalition of Texans with Disabilities  
• The Arc Texas