2026 Platform

The lives of Texas women are impacted by a complex interplay of local, state, and federal laws, often with significant restrictions on human rights and economic security. This platform outlines a vision for Texas where women's full potential is unleashed, their rights are protected, and their voices drive progress at every level of government. When women thrive, families and communities flourish.

• Expand Reproductive Healthcare Access:
  • Ensure confidential access to contraception for all individuals.
  • Increase public funding for comprehensive family planning services, including contraception, STI testing, and cancer screenings, at providers across the state.
  • Oppose any "travel bans" or local ordinances that restrict individuals from seeking out-of-state medical care.
• Improve Maternal Healthcare Outcomes: 
  • Expand Medicaid to cover all eligible adults, significantly improving access to prenatal, delivery, and postpartum care.
  • Extend Medicaid postpartum coverage, recognizing the critical health needs of new mothers.
  • Invest in initiatives to reduce the state's high maternal mortality rate, especially for Black women, through improved data collection, culturally competent care, and a more diverse maternal care workforce (e.g., doulas, midwives).
  • Establish and support a statewide maternal mental health hotline and expand access to mental health services for pregnant and postpartum individuals.
• Protect Healthcare Providers: 
  • Safeguard medical professionals from civil and criminal penalties for providing reproductive healthcare.

• Raise the Minimum Wage: 
  • Advocate for a statewide minimum wage that reflects a living wage, ensuring that all working women can support themselves and their families.
• Guaranteed Paid Sick Leave: 
  • Enact a statewide paid sick leave law, allowing all employees to earn and use paid time off for illness or to care for sick family members, providing essential stability for working women and their families.
• Comprehensive Paid Family and Medical Leave: 
  • Establish a statewide paid family and medical leave program that provides job-protected, paid time off for new parents, caregivers, and individuals with serious health conditions.
• Strengthen Equal Pay Laws: 
  • Enact robust state-level legislation to strengthen equal pay protections, including pay transparency measures and prohibiting salary history inquiries, to close the gender and racial wage gaps.
• Affordable and Accessible Childcare:
  • Increase funding for universal pre-kindergarten programs and expand access to high-quality, affordable childcare facilities across the state, especially in underserved areas.
  • Increase subsidies for low-income families to access childcare and provide incentives for childcare providers to meet higher quality standards.
  • Support initiatives that increase wages and benefits for childcare workers, a workforce predominantly composed of women of color.
• Support Women Entrepreneurs and Small Businesses: 
  • Expand access to capital, credit, and mentorship programs for women-owned and minority-owned businesses.

• Fully Fund Survivor Services: 
  • Increase state funding for domestic violence shelters, sexual assault crisis centers, and legal aid services for survivors, ensuring that no survivor is turned away due to lack of space or resources.
• Strengthen Protections for Survivors:
  • Grant survivors of family violence the right to confer with prosecutors regarding plea agreements, mirroring rights afforded to sexual assault survivors.
  • Prioritize prevention of domestic violence fatalities by implementing a task force to study and recommend policies addressing lethality factors like strangulation, stalking, and firearm access in abusive homes.
• Combat Human Trafficking: 
  • Enhance efforts to identify, rescue, and support victims of human trafficking, and increase penalties for traffickers.
• Comprehensive Sex Education: 
  • Support evidence-based, age-appropriate comprehensive sex education in schools to prevent sexual violence and promote healthy relationships.

• Promote Women in Leadership: 
  • Actively recruit, train, and support women from all backgrounds to run for and succeed in public office at all levels of government - local, state, and federal.
• Protect Voting Rights: 
  • Fight against restrictive voting laws that disproportionately impact women, particularly women of color, and advocate for policies that expand voter access, such as automatic voter registration and same-day registration.
• Civic Education and Engagement: 
  • Invest in programs that educate and empower women to understand the political process and actively participate in their communities.
• Oppose Discriminatory "Sex Definition" Laws: 
  • Advocate against state laws that narrowly define gender based solely on biological reproductive organs, recognizing the harm these laws inflict and their potential to erode protections for all women. These laws undermine the diversity of women's experiences and create unnecessary confusion and discrimination in official records.

• Holistic Leadership Training: Provide comprehensive leadership training programs that extend beyond political aspirations to encompass skills critical for success in business, non-profit organizations, and community organizing. This includes:
  • Public Speaking and Communication: Offer workshops and practice opportunities to enhance women's ability to articulate their ideas persuasively, advocate for causes, and engage effectively with diverse audiences.
  • Negotiation and Conflict Resolution: Develop skills in navigating complex discussions, building consensus, and resolving disputes constructively, essential for leadership in any environment.
  • Strategic Planning and Project Management: Train women in developing clear objectives, outlining actionable plans, and efficiently managing resources to achieve impactful outcomes in their initiatives and organizations.
  • Fundraising and Resource Mobilization: Provide education and practical tools for securing financial and other resources necessary to sustain movements, campaigns, and organizational efforts.
• Mentorship and Networking Programs: Establish robust formal and informal mentorship programs that connect aspiring women leaders with experienced professionals across various fields. This initiative aims to:
  • Facilitate knowledge transfer and provide guidance on career paths and leadership challenges.
  • Create a supportive ecosystem where women can share experiences, build connections, and collaborate on initiatives.
• Civic Education: 
  • Offer in-depth educational programs that go beyond basic voter engagement to provide a comprehensive understanding of governmental structures, legislative processes, and diverse avenues for civic participation at all levels - local, state, and federal.
• Youth Leadership Development: 
  • Invest in and support programs specifically designed for young women to cultivate leadership skills from and early age. This proactive approach aims to foster a strong pipeline of future female leaders, encouraging their early engagement in community and civic life.  

• Racial Justice: Actively work to eliminate discriminatory practices that disproportionately affect women of color in all aspects of life. This includes:
  • Advocating for policies that combat discrimination in housing, lending, and employment, ensuring equitable opportunities for all women regardless of race.
  • Championing criminal justice reform efforts that address the disproportionate incarceration rates of women of color and promote fair and equitable legal processes.
• LGBTQ+ Rights: Support and advocate for policies that unequivocally protect and affirm the rights of LGBTQ+ individuals, who are increasingly targeted by discriminatory legislation in Texas. This includes:
  • Advocating for comprehensive non-discrimination protections in housing, employment, and public accommodations for all LGBTQ+ individuals.
• Disability Rights: Ensure that all policies and programs are designed to be inclusive and accessible for women with disabilities, actively addressing their unique challenges in areas such as:
  • Employment: Advocating for workplace accommodations and equitable employment opportunities.
  • Healthcare: Ensuring accessible healthcare services and information.
  • Public Participation: Removing barriers to their full participation in civic and community life.
• Immigrant Women's Rights: Address the specific needs and vulnerabilities faced by immigrant women, including:
  • Ensuring access to essential legal services to protect their rights and provide support.
  • Advocating for policies that prevent exploitation and promote safe living and working conditions.
  • Promoting culturally competent healthcare services that meet their diverse needs.
• Indigenous Women's Rights: Recognize and actively address the historical and ongoing challenges faced by Indigenous women, including:
  • Supporting initiatives that uphold tribal sovereignty and self-determination.
  • Advocating for improved healthcare access and culturally appropriate services.
  • Working to end violence against Indigenous women and ensure justice for survivors.

• Impact on Women: Acknowledge and raise awareness that women, particularly women of color and those in low-income communities, are often disproportionately affected by environmental hazards and the consequences of climate change, such as:
  • Increased vulnerability to extreme weather events.
  • Higher exposure to pollution and its associated health impacts.
• Sustainable Policies: 
  • Advocate for the implementation of policies that prioritize environmental justice, promote clean energy solutions, and encourage sustainable practices. This recognizes the direct link between a healthy environment and the well-being of families and communities.
• Women as Environmental Leaders: 
  • Actively support and promote women's leadership in environmental advocacy, policymaking, and scientific research, ensuring their voices are central to developing and implementing effective environmental solutions.

• Affordable Housing: 
  • Advocate for robust policies that increase the availability of diverse and affordable housing options across the state. This is crucial as housing instability disproportionately affects women, particularly single mothers and those seeking refuge from domestic violence.
• Support for Homeless Women: Address the unique and critical needs of homeless women, including:
  • Increasing funding and access to safe, secure, and supportive shelters.
  • Ensuring access to comprehensive healthcare services tailored to their needs.
  • Providing access to supportive services that facilitate long-term stability and independence.

• Bridging the Digital Divide: Advocate for initiatives and investments that ensure all women, especially those in rural or low-income areas, have access to reliable and affordable internet connectivity and the necessary digital devices. This is crucial for:
  • Expanding economic opportunities through online employment and entrepreneurship.
  • Facilitating access to educational resources and lifelong learning.
  • Enabling full participation in civic engagement and access to essential services.
• Combating Online Harassment: 
  • Advocate for stronger policies and increased resources to effectively address online harassment, cyberstalking, and digital abuse. This initiative recognizes that these forms of violence disproportionately affect women, particularly those in public life, and can hinder their participation and expression.

• Accessible Mental Healthcare: 
  • Advocate for increased funding and policy changes to expand access to affordable and culturally competent mental health services across Texas. This acknowledges that women often experience higher rates of certain mental health conditions and disproportionate exposure to trauma, making accessible care paramount.
• Addressing Maternal Mental Health: Specifically address the critical issue of maternal mental health, extending beyond physical health needs. This includes:
  • Advocating for universal screening for postpartum depression and other maternal mental health challenges.
  • Expanding access to specialized support services, therapy, and resources for pregnant and postpartum individuals struggling with their mental well-being.