July 2004

California Legislation:

AB 2012 Cosmetics: Cancer and Reproductive Toxicity
Status: Senate Appropriations Committee (Passed the Assembly on April 29, 2004)

By: Zulema Laurent

This legislation, authored by Assemblymember Judy Chu (D Monterey Park), would prohibit the manufacturing, processing, or distributing in the state of California of a cosmetic or personal care product identified as containing cancer-causing chemicals such as phthalates.

Currently under FDA regulations, cosmetics and their ingredients are not required to undergo approval before they are sold to the public. The FDA regulates these products after they have been released into the marketplace. If, after being released, they are found to cause cancer, the FDA would then recall these products.

We marked our 10th year Anniversary and acknowledged four "Women Who Dared" during our recent breakfast celebration. The gala, emceed by actress Lisa Gay Hamilton, was held at the City Club on Bunker Hill in Los Angeles on June 10, 2004.

At the gala, we paid special tribute to four outstanding women who have blazed trails in their respective fields. The event's keynote speaker was inspiring community leader Karen Bass (who recently won the Democratic primary election to California's 47th district). We also honored: Meri Nana-Ama Danquah (Author, Willow Weep for Me), Lana Moorer, professionally known as MC LYTE, (legendary female Hip Hop pioneer/actress/activist) and Frances Jemmott (Founder, California Black Women's Health Project). These are women who have stood strong and proud while making a lasting impact on their community.