#MeToo: California's Female Leaders Speak Out

CALIFORNIA -- California's most influential women leaders penned a letter this week rallying against sexual harassment.

The letter, which comes amid the #MeToo campaign, which is urging victims to speak out, states that the sexual harassment allegations against film mogul Harvey Weinstein are common across all industries.

"This same kind of inappropriate, sexually harassing behavior cuts across every industry and facet of our society. No matter a woman’s age, weight, religion, sexual orientation, race, social status, or position of power, she is not insulated from this behavior. It is pervasive," the letter states.

Watch: Me Too: Women Elevate Weinstein Conversation

Signed by more than 100 leaders — including Assemblywoman Cristina Garcia (D--Bell Gardens) and state Sen. Nancy Skinner (D-Berkeley) — the letter goes on to say, "Each of us has endured, or witnessed or worked with women who have experienced some form of dehumanizing behavior by men with power in our workplaces. Men have groped and touched us without our consent, made inappropriate comments about our bodies and our abilities. Insults and sexual innuendo, frequently disguised as jokes, have undermined our professional positions and capabilities. Men have made promises, or threats, about our jobs in exchange for our compliance, or our silence. They have leveraged their power and positions to treat us however they would like."

The letter comes in response to social media campaign asking victims to share their stories to show the magnitude sexual harassment.

See Also:

• Reese Witherspoon, Jennifer Lawrence Share Hollywood Assault, Abuse Stories

--Photo courtesy of the Office of Assemblywoman Cristina Garcia