[et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.22.2″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.22.2″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.22.2″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.22.2″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n
Senate Democrats uplifted protections in Elliott-Larsen Civil Rights Act this year through legislative action<\/span><\/i>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n On December 13, Sen. Sarah Anthony (D-Lansing) was awarded the Michigan Civil Rights Commission\u2019s (MCRC) Elliott-Larsen Award for Public Service Leadership for her advocacy of the CROWN (Creating a Respectful and Open World for Natural Hair) Act. Her efforts over several years led to its passage \u2014 expanding the state\u2019s Elliott-Larsen Civil Rights Act (ELCRA) and banning race-based hair discrimination in the state of Michigan.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/senatedems.com\/anthony\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/21\/2023\/12\/AnthonyELCRARecognition.jpg” title_text=”AnthonyELCRARecognition” _builder_version=”4.22.2″ _module_preset=”default” width=”73%” module_alignment=”center” enable_caption_text=”on” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.22.2″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n \u201cI am honored to receive the Elliott-Larsen Award for Public Service Leadership \u2014 our civil rights are sacred because they safeguard the dignity and freedom of all people in our state,\u201d said Sen. Anthony. \u201cI am proud to have worked on several pieces of legislation this year that aim to protect and uplift marginalized communities in our state \u2014 including the Creating a Respectful and Open World for Natural Hair (CROWN) Act, which was signed into law earlier this year. While the fight for equality is far from over, the work we have done this year will have a positive impact on Michiganders for years to come.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n <\/span><\/p>\n Longtime organizer Adjoa Asamoah spearheaded the CROWN Act by developing its legislative strategy after co-creating the CROWN Coalition. This prolific work led to New York and California becoming the first states in 2019 to pass the CROWN Act. Since then, the act has seen immense advancement in more than 20 states \u2014 including Michigan.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n In fact, Anthony first introduced the CROWN Act in the House in 2019 and then introduced it again in 2021. Finally, in 2023, the act was passed through the Senate with significant bipartisan support and officially signed into law in June 2023. This made Michigan the <\/span>23rd state to pass the CROWN Act.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_code _builder_version=”4.22.2″ _module_preset=”default” module_alignment=”center” global_colors_info=”{}”] Background of CROWN Act\u00a0<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/h3>\n