Introduction

The CROWN Act Campaign is designed to stand with the thousands of Sisters who are discriminated against in the workplace and other settings based on how they wear their hair. According to a 2020 Duke University Fuqua School of Business study, Black women with natural hairstyles were not recommended as frequently to advance to the interview stage as Black women with straightened hair and white women. Basically, Black women with natural hair were discriminated against for wearing their hair the way it naturally grows out of their heads. The fact that skill and experience were overruled by bias over a hairstyle is cause for alarm and action!

The U.S. House of Representatives passed The Creating a Respectful and Open World for Natural Hair (CROWN) Act in 2020 to protect Black women and others from discrimination based on hair texture or hairstyle, if that style or texture is commonly associated with a particular race or national origin. Specifically, the bill prohibits this type of discrimination against those participating in federally assisted programs, housing programs, public accommodations, and employment. The Senate version of this bill is, like hundreds of others, is in limbo in the U.S. Senate, waiting for action.

WE CAN is joining with dozens of organizations seeking passage of this federal law to provide Black women, and other women of color, protection from discrimination for cultural expression through hairstyles.

Data about Hair Discrimination

From The Dove CROWN Research Study Dove/Unilever Study 2019

• 80% of Black women state that they have to change their hair from its natural state to fit in at the office.
• Black women are 1.5 times more likely to be sent home from work because of their hair.
• 83% of Black women reported being judged more harshly for their looks than other women.
• Black women’s hair is 3.4 times more likely to be deemed ‘unprofessional.’

 

Call Your U.S. Senators about The CROWN Act

Check the list below to see if your U.S. Senators have signed on to support The CROWN Act. If they have, call them and thank them for their support.

Dear Senator (INSERT LAST NAME): Thank you for your support of The CROWN Act! As a woman of color I am pleased to know that you think it should be illegal to discriminate against someone because of how they wear their hair. I appreciate your action on this issue. Sincerely, Your Name and Phone Number

Sample Script to THANK YOUR U.S. Senators

If not, call them and ask him/her to join their colleagues in support of The CROWN Act.

Dear Senator (INSERT LAST NAME): I’m calling today to ask you to protect women of color and others who are facing discrimination based on how they wear their hair. Too many women have been fired or harassed for wearing their hair in its natural state. Please take a stand for me and other constituents at risk for discrimination based on a hairstyle. Thank you. Sincerely, Your Name and Phone Number

Sample Script to INVITE SUPPORT FROM YOUR U.S. Senators

Don’t know who your U.S. Senators are and how to reach them? Click here to find out who they are and their contact information.

Co-Sponsor	Date Co-Sponsored
Sen. Brown, Sherrod [D-OH]*	01/08/2020
Sen. Harris, Kamala D. [D-CA]	01/21/2020
Sen. Van Hollen, Chris [D-MD]	01/28/2020
Sen. Schumer, Charles E. [D-NY]	02/03/2020
Sen. Markey, Edward J. [D-MA]	02/03/2020
Sen. Gillibrand, Kirsten E. [D-NY]	02/04/2020
Sen. Warren, Elizabeth [D-MA]	02/10/2020
Sen. Merkley, Jeff [D-OR]	02/11/2020
Sen. Sanders, Bernard [I-VT]	02/13/2020
Sen. Duckworth, Tammy [D-IL]	02/13/2020
Sen. Coons, Christopher A. [D-DE]	02/25/2020
Sen. Menendez, Robert [D-NJ]	02/27/2020
Sen. Durbin, Richard J. [D-IL]	02/27/2020
Sen. Stabenow, Debbie [D-MI]	03/02/2020
Sen. Murphy, Christopher [D-CT]	03/04/2020
Sen. Jones, Doug [D-AL]	03/04/2020
Sen. Peters, Gary C. [D-MI]	03/10/2020
Sen. Hirono, Mazie K. [D-HI]	03/10/2020
Sen. Leahy, Patrick J. [D-VT]	03/10/2020
Sen. Cardin, Benjamin L. [D-MD]	03/10/2020

Have You Experienced Hair Discrimination?

In the following states, The CROWN Act is now law, and hair discrimination is illegal. If you experience hair discrimination, please contact the following resources:

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California

ACLU California: 916-442-1036

ACLU of Northern California: 415-621-2493

ACLU of Southern California: 213-977-9500

Western Center for Law and Poverty: 213-487-7211

Colorado

ACLU Colorado: 303-777-5482

New Jersey

ACLU New Jersey: 973-642-2084

New York

ACLU New York: 212-607-3300

Virginia

ACLU of Virginia: 804-644-8022

Washington

ACLU of Washington: 206-624-2184

Want More Information?

Please email info@womensequity.org.