Jessica Potts was a part of the group of educators who worked tirelessly for years at the state and national level for a law that allows women in California to take bereavement leave for a miscarriage or failed adoption or other “reproductive loss event.” The law, supported by CTA and passed in 2023, requires covered employers to provide up to five days of leave for qualified employees.

The law is life-changing for women across the state, who were previously forced to return to work immediately after losing a baby. “She did a lot of work for women who lost a baby to have the right to grieve, to be able to say, ‘You know what? I do need a couple of days to process that and to grieve that,’” said Shellie Ann Bittner, who nominated Potts for the award. “Nobody even knew about this, it was all behind the scenes — the meetings, the emails, the follow-up.”

Potts, a high school forensics teacher, currently serves as vice president for Irvine Teachers Association, president of the Orange Service Center Council, and was recently elected CTA Women’s Rights Committee chair. On the ITA Social Media/ Communications committee, she regularly shares information about women’s rights and resources available at the local and state levels. She leads and speaks at countless conferences throughout the state.

Potts is known for her willingness to have hard conversations in support of female educators who experience sexist
treatment, and for her efforts to make things better professionally and on a personal level for women and all people.

Watch Jessica Potts’ short video here. Read about the other Human Rights Award winners here.