Dove and the CROWN Coalition, a national alliance comprised of the National Urban League, Western Center on Law & Poverty, Color Of Change, and Dove, are excited to announce a major milestone in its efforts to bring an end to hair discrimination with California becoming the first state to enact The CROWN Act into law when SB 188 was signed by Governor Gavin Newsom on July 3.
“Dove is proud to be a part of changing the narrative for Black women and girls and anyone with textured hair, and we are excited to stand with The CROWN Coalition and Senator Holly J. Mitchellto make a tangible impact in the state of California,” said Esi Eggleston Bracey, Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of North America Beauty and Personal Care at Unilever. “We are overjoyed to see Governor Newsom sign The CROWN Act into law today and are looking forward to continuing to drive legislative change in other states in the months to come.”
“The CROWN Act is redefining the cultural norms of ‘professional images’ for all people,” said Senator Holly J. Mitchell, who began this important work with The CROWN Coalition in February. The CROWN Act will prohibit employers and schools from enforcing purportedly “race neutral” grooming policies restricting natural hairstyles. Additionally, while anti-discrimination laws presently protect the choice to wear an Afro, Afros are not the only natural presentation of Black hair. SB 188 ensures protection against discrimination based on hairstyles by extending statutory protection to hair texture and protective styles in the Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA) and the California Education Code. Senator Mitchell introduced the bill and garnered the support that ushered it through the California Senate in April 2019 and the California Assembly in June 2019.
Unfortunately, this issue is not confined to state lines. A recent national study by Dove reveals Black women are 80 percent more likely to change their natural hair to meet social norms or expectations at work. Moreover, Black women are 1.5 times more likely to have reported being sent home or know of a Black woman sent home from the workplace because of her hair. It is critical to address this prevalent and unjust societal bias, and it is the ambition of the CROWN Coalition to put an end to race-based hair discrimination by continuing to extend this initiative across the country.
Join the movement that’s creating real change and aiding in the efforts to ensure Black men, women and children feel confident in expressing themselves. Sign the petition at www.TheCROWNAct.com to help us end discrimination and learn how you can get involved in bringing anti-hair discrimination legislation to your state.
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