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Mónica Ramírez

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Immigrant Justice
Director - Immigrant Women’s Initiative

Mónica Ramirez is the director of the Immigrant Women’s Initiative. She founded the project, which was adopted by the SPLC in 2006. Under her leadership, this initiative works to stop sexual violence and gen­der discrimination against low-income immigrant women. She is the co-editor and author of selected chapters of Representing Farm­worker Women Who Have Been Sexually Harassed: A Best Practices Manual, She also co-authored Injustice on Our Plates: Immigrant Women in the U.S. Food Industry (2010). She is a graduate of Loyola University Chicago and the Ohio State University Moritz College of Law.

Articles, News and Blog Posts by Mónica Ramírez

House Bill Rewards Anti-Immigrant and Misogynist Groups to the Detriment of Immigrant Women

By Mónica Ramírez, Director - Immigrant Women’s Initiative
05/18/2012

In an incredibly callous move earlier this week, lawmakers in the U.S. House passed a bill that stands to roll back important provisions of the Violence Against Women Act, which would leave immigrant victims of domestic violence and sexual assault even more vulnerable to abuse.

25 Years After Landmark Meritor Decision, Immigrant Women Still Face Workplace Sexual Violence

By Mónica Ramírez, Director - Immigrant Women’s Initiative
06/20/2011

Over the years, many victims of workplace sexual violence have benefitted from the U.S. Supreme Court's decision in the landmark case Meritor Savings Bank v. Mechelle Vinson. Unfortunately, farmworker and low-wage immigrant women in our nation continue to suffer workplace sexual violence at alarming rates.

Hotel Maid’s Accusations of Sexual Assault by IMF Director Highlight Dangers Faced by Immigrant Women

By Mónica Ramírez, Director - Immigrant Women’s Initiative
05/19/2011

Sexual violence is about people using their power to sexually exploit, demean and harm someone. Immigrant women are especially vulnerable to such abuses of power, whether working in hotels, in agricultural fields, restaurants, factories, or in the private homes.

Sexual Assault Against Immigrant Women is a Hidden Human Rights Tragedy

By Mónica Ramírez, Director - Immigrant Women’s Initiative
04/05/2011

Throughout April, which is Sexual Assault Awareness Month, my colleagues and I will be meeting with policymakers to discuss this issue. We will also host “Know Your Rights” events across the country to inform immigrant women about their legal rights – giving them the tools to speak out and seek justice.