Barbara Lee
Rep. Barbara Lee Disappointed as Senate Fails to Pass Women’s Health Protection Act
“There has never been a more important time for Congress to step up and protect the right to an abortion,” said U.S. Rep. Lee, co-chair of the House Pro-Choice Caucus. “Recent efforts by the Supreme Court to abandon 50 years of precedent and deny the American public their constitutional right to reproductive autonomy is alarming.

By Sean Ryan
U.S. Rep. Barbara Lee (CA-13), co-chair of the Pro- Choice Caucus, released a statement on the failure of the Women’s Health Protection Act (WHPA) — legislation that protects the right to access abortion nationwide — in the Senate on May 11.
This legislation safeguards abortion rights against the barrage of state-based attacks and provides a bulwark against the anticipated Supreme Court action to strike down or erode the protections established in Roe v. Wade and failed by a vote of 49-51 in the Senate.
“There has never been a more important time for Congress to step up and protect the right to an abortion,” said U.S. Rep. Lee, co-chair of the House Pro-Choice Caucus. “Recent efforts by the Supreme Court to abandon 50 years of precedent and deny the American public their constitutional right to reproductive autonomy is alarming.
“Wealthy Americans will always have access to abortion, and the impacts of a decision overturning Roe v. Wade will fall hardest on individuals who already face barriers to accessing care, specifically people with low incomes, and Black and brown women. The Senate’s failed passage of the Women’s Health Protection Act has made it clear that anti-abortion politicians will not stop at Roe v. Wade. They are committed to controlling people’s personal healthcare decisions.
“We cannot go back to the days before Roe v. Wade. We must fight with everything we have to protect our reproductive freedoms. As the Co-Chair of the Pro-Choice Caucus, I’m going to continue working with my colleagues to find a pathway toward safeguarding our decades old constitutional right to reproductive choice. The public is on our side, we just need to muster up the political will to get it done. This fight is not over.”
Sean Ryan is a member of the media relations office in Congresswoman Barbara Lee’s office.
Barbara Lee
WNBA’s Golden State Valkyries Kick Off Season with Community Programs in Oakland
“The Golden State Valkyries are more than a team—they’re a movement,” said Oakland Interim-Mayor Kevin Jenkins. “Their touchdown in Oakland marks a new era of opportunity, inspiration, and equity in sports. This partnership reflects our city’s deep commitment to uplifting women, investing in youth, and building a community where every dream has a place to grow. We’re proud to welcome the Valkyries to The Town.”

Team installs new nets at playgrounds, holds flag-raisings at City Halls in Oakland and S.F.
Special to The Post
The Golden State Valkyries brought the excitement of their inaugural season to every corner of the Bay Area with a full slate of community celebrations leading up to their historic home-opener against the Los Angeles Sparks at the Chase Center in San Francisco on Friday.
The week featured flag-raising ceremonies at city halls in Oakland and San Francisco, three “Violet Net” installation days at Oakland parks to encourage basketball play, fun “Hoopbus” takeovers at multiple schools presented by Kaiser Permanente, and player appearances.
“The Golden State Valkyries are more than a team—they’re a movement,” said Oakland Interim-Mayor Kevin Jenkins. “Their touchdown in Oakland marks a new era of opportunity, inspiration, and equity in sports. This partnership reflects our city’s deep commitment to uplifting women, investing in youth, and building a community where every dream has a place to grow. We’re proud to welcome the Valkyries to The Town.”
In total, 90 violet nets were installed on 45 basketball courts across 34 public parks throughout Oakland this week. A list of the parks receiving violet nets can be found at Valkyries.com.
About the Golden State Valkyries
The Golden State Valkyries, the WNBA affiliate of the seven-time NBA Champion Golden State Warriors, were announced as the 13th WNBA franchise on Oct. 5, 2023. According to Norse mythology, Valkyries are a host of warrior women who are fearless and unwavering – flying through air and sea alike.
This brand is Golden State’s modern interpretation of Valkyries: strong, bold, and fierce. Tipping off during the 2025 WNBA season, the team is headquartered in Oakland and will play home games at Chase Center in San Francisco. For Golden State Valkyries’ assets, including team logos, visit valkyries.com.
Activism
New Oakland Moving Forward
This week, several socially enterprising members of this group visited Oakland to explore ways to collaborate with local stakeholders at Youth Empowerment Partnership, the Port of Oakland, Private Industry Council, Oakland, Mayor-elect Barbara Lee, the Oakland Ballers ownership group, and the oversight thought leaders in the Alameda County Probation Department.

By Post Staff
Since the African American Sports and Entertainment Group purchased the City of Oakland’s share of the Alameda County Coliseum Complex, we have been documenting the positive outcomes that are starting to occur here in Oakland.
Some of the articles in the past have touched on actor Blair Underwood’s mission to breathe new energy into the social fabric of Oakland. He has joined the past efforts of Steph and Ayesha Curry, Mistah Fab, Green Day, Too Short, and the Oakland Ballers.
This week, several socially enterprising members of this group visited Oakland to explore ways to collaborate with local stakeholders at Youth Empowerment Partnership, the Port of Oakland, Private Industry Council, Oakland, Mayor-Elect Barbara Lee, the Oakland Ballers ownership group, and the oversight thought leaders in the Alameda County Probation Department.
These visits represent a healthy exchange of ideas and plans to resuscitate Oakland’s image. All parties felt that the potential to impact Oakland is right in front of us. Most recently, on the back side of these visits, the Oakland Ballers and Blair Underwood committed to a 10-year lease agreement to support community programs and a community build-out.
So, upward and onward with the movement of New Oakland.
Activism
Oakland Post Endorses Barbara Lee
Barbara Lee will be able to unify the city around Oakland’s critical budget and financial issues, since she will walk into the mayor’s office with the support of a super majority of seven city council members — enabling her to achieve much-needed consensus on moving Oakland into a successful future.

As we end the celebration of Women’s History Month in Oakland, we endorse Barbara Lee, a woman of demonstrated historical significance. In our opinion, she has the best chance of uniting the city and achieving our needs for affordable housing, public safety, and fiscal accountability.
As a former small business owner, Barbara Lee understands how to apply tools needed to revitalize Oakland’s downtown, uptown, and neighborhood businesses.
Barbara Lee will be able to unify the city around Oakland’s critical budget and financial issues, since she will walk into the mayor’s office with the support of a super majority of seven city council members — enabling her to achieve much-needed consensus on moving Oakland into a successful future.
It is notable that many of those who fought politically on both sides of the recent recall election battles have now laid down their weapons and become brothers and sisters in support of Barbara Lee. The Oakland Post is pleased to join them.
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