SACRAMENTO, CA — The California Legislative Women’s Caucus (LWC) proudly announces its new leadership team: Senator Caroline Menjivar (D-San Fernando Valley) as chair, Assemblymember Gail Pellerin (D-Santa Cruz) as vice chair, Senator Susan Rubio (D-Baldwin Park) as secretary, and Assemblymember Dawn Addis (D-Morro Bay) as treasurer. Elected by acclamation, the new leadership team will assume their roles on December 7, 2026.
The expanded leadership structure reflects the LWC’s growing strength and influence, as well as its commitment to creating more opportunities for women to lead within one of the legislature’s largest caucuses.
“It has been the privilege of a lifetime to be trusted by colleagues to serve as chair of the California Legislative Women’s Caucus. When I first became chair, I had two goals—grow our ranks to reach gender parity in the legislature, and to see more women in leadership roles. I’ve seen firsthand how important it is to have more women at the table when we’re working on issues that affect our women, children, and families. And really, all issues are women’s issues—healthcare, the economy, the environment—you name it,” said Assembly Majority Leader Cecilia Aguiar-Curry (D-Winters), outgoing LWC chair. “I’m so excited to see my dear friends Senator Caroline Menjivar, Assemblymember Gail Pellerin, Senator Susan Rubio, and Assemblymember Dawn Addis build on the important work we’ve done together.”
During Assembly Majority Leader Aguiar-Curry’s two-year tenure as chair, the LWC focused on strengthening women’s representation and leadership in the legislature, growing and empowering its membership, advancing legislative priorities that support women and families, and protecting access to healthcare and reproductive freedom. Under her leadership, the caucus continued to elevate women’s voices in policymaking and emphasize the importance of women’s representation at every level of legislative leadership.
“I am honored to lead such a diverse, talented, and effective group of women who serve California with passion and determination every day,” said chair-elect Senator Caroline Menjivar, who is to be the youngest member to ever hold the position. “Having served as the chair of the Senate Budget Subcommittee on Health and Human Services, I am primed to tackle key women’s issues like health, childcare, in-home supportive services, and social services with the power of the Legislature’s biggest diversity caucus. These women have proven they have the skill sets, the tenacity, and the leadership to build a California where women and girls thrive, but not just that, because when women win, the whole community wins. As a Marine Corps Veteran, I know that strength comes from standing together, and I look forward to doing great things with these warriors.”
Senator Menjivar currently serves as the Chair of the Democratic Caucus, has served as vice chair of the California Legislative LGBTQ Caucus and most recently as the vice chair of the LWC. She has emerged as a fierce advocate for children and the most vulnerable, healthcare for all, as well as survivors and victims of gender-based violence. As chair-elect, she will help shape the caucus’s legislative priorities and continue to amplify the voices of underrepresented communities throughout California.
“I am honored and excited to serve as vice chair of the Legislative Women’s Caucus. I have spent years working to empower women and girls and I’m proud to now work alongside 59 incredible women in the legislature,” said Vice Chair-elect Assemblymember Gail Pellerin. “Together, we will lift up the voices, struggles, successes, and needs of women and girls across California, break down barriers, and create greater opportunities for the generations that follow. When women succeed, families and communities succeed—and California is stronger for it.”
Assemblymember Pellerin brings extensive public-service and civic leadership experience, with a strong commitment to advocating for women, fostering connections among women, and strengthening communities. Her leadership experiences have also given her a deep understanding of how to collaborate across a large caucus, build consensus, and unite people around shared goals.
“What an honor to serve with extraordinary women who lead with grace and real-life experience, and I am thankful for their trust in me to help lead the women’s caucus as their new Secretary,” said Secretary-elect Senator Susan Rubio. “The Legislative Women’s Caucus has an important responsibility. I look forward to collaborating with the new Chair, Vice Chair, and Treasurer to build on the work of the caucus and ensure the voices and experiences of women and families are reflected in the work we do at the Capitol.”
Senator Rubio has held several leadership positions in the legislature, including chair of the Senate Insurance Committee and the Senate Select Committee on Domestic Violence, while championing policies that support women, survivors, and families.
“I am honored to serve as the next Treasurer for the California Legislative Women’s Caucus. From starting as an organizer for a local Women’s March to being Assembly Budget Sub 1 chair on Health, the work to uplift women has been a constant driver of my work,” said Treasurer-elect Assemblymember Dawn Addis. “I am thrilled to help ensure women’s voices are represented in the legislature and to tackle the issues that matter most to California’s communities.”
Assemblymember Addis has served as chair of the California Legislative Central Coast Caucus and co-vice chair of the California Legislative Jewish Caucus. Addis has held leadership positions and been a leading voice on health, survivor rights, mental health, and issues affecting children and families. She brings significant policy and legislative experience to her new role.
Leadership of the LWC alternates between the California State Assembly and the California State Senate every two years. Assembly Majority Leader Aguiar-Curry, first elected to the California State Assembly in 2016 and now serving her fifth term, will conclude her tenure as chair when the new leadership team takes office on December 7.
With this transition and expanded leadership team, the LWC reaffirms its commitment to strengthening women’s representation and leadership, advancing policies that support women and families, and ensuring women’s voices remain a powerful force in California policymaking.
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The California Legislative Women’s Caucus is a 59-member bipartisan body of women elected leaders from the California Assembly and Senate. The caucus also includes five women who hold constitutional office. Women in the legislature account for 49 percent of the legislative body.